Former West Indies fast bowler and Legend Andy Roberts says India were “lucky” to win the 1983 World Cup. India became the cricket champion of the world for the first time on 25th June 1983 by beating West Indies by 43 runs. India defeated all the then-favourites West Indies, England and Australia in the group stage as well as the Semifinals and Finals, Indian team was not even thought of a chance to qualify for the semi-finals, West Indies, the unbeaten champions of two editions of the World Cup (1975 and 1979) came into the tournament to conquer the trophy by winning it for the hattrick but India soiled their dream. Under the leadership of Kapil Dev the Indian team Defeated the Mighty West Indies team twice once in the group stage and another at the finals of the tournament.
Andy Roberts Said:
“Yeah, we lost to India. It was one of those things. As we all know, cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties. You win some, and you lose some. We are always prepared to lose. We play to win—not at all costs, but fair and squarely. We were not outplayed by a better team. But as we all know, cricket is a game where you have to be on top for the duration of the match. We outplayed India up to the end of India’s innings. And you see, people don’t look at cricket as a game of luck and chance. Up until 1983, we hadn’t lost a World Cup game. In 1983, we were beaten twice. There were only two defeats between 1975 and 1983 in the World Cup, and India beat us both times,” Roberts told Sportstar.
“We were in form but due for a bad game. It was just India’s luck in 1983. Because of that great team that we had, we lost two games in 1983, and both to India. And then, five or six months later, we beat India 6-0. So, it was just that game. Luck went India’s way after they were dismissed for 180-odd. We weren’t outplayed. We just lost the game. It was not overconfidence or complacency,” he added.