The 1987 World Cup delivered countless moments of cricketing brilliance, but few matches stand out as vividly as the Chennai encounter between defending champions India and eventual winners Australia. The clash on that sultry October day remains etched in memory as one of the greatest contests in the tournament's storied history, a testament to the unpredictability and drama of cricket.
The Prelude: A Battle
of Strategies
India, led by the charismatic Kapil Dev, won the toss and elected to field. The decision, perhaps influenced by the humid conditions, proved to be a double-edged sword. Australia, guided by their shrewd skipper Allan Border, came prepared with a meticulous game plan. Openers Geoff Marsh and David Boon executed it to near perfection, crafting an opening partnership of 110 runs that laid the foundation for a daunting total.
Marsh, the architect of Australia’s innings, compiled a masterful 110, blending patient accumulation with precise stroke play. Boon’s 49 complemented Marsh’s knock, as the pair nullified the Indian bowlers on a pitch offering little assistance. As Marsh later reflected, "It was important to bat first and create pressure. For that, one of us had to stay there, which I did."
Dean Jones, an integral part of the Australian middle order, highlighted the meticulousness of their approach: "One of the rules inscribed on our kitbags was: 'To lose patience is to lose the battle.' We focused on rotating strike and taking singles, making the opposition’s fielding look ragged."
The Six That
Wasn’t—Or Was It?
A moment of controversy arose during the innings when Jones lofted Maninder Singh towards long-on. Ravi Shastri leapt at the boundary but signalled the ball had landed inside the rope. Umpire Dickie Bird took Shastri’s word, awarding four runs. However, Australian coach Bobby Simpson, observing from close quarters, insisted it was a six. Post-innings discussions ensued, and Kapil Dev, embodying the spirit of the game, agreed to adjust the score. The Australian total was revised to 270—a decision that would later prove pivotal.
India’s Fiery
Response: A Tale of Momentum
India’s chase began with a flurry of aggression. Sunil Gavaskar, often criticized for his conservative approach in ODIs, unleashed an uncharacteristic onslaught, smashing 37 off 32 balls. His partner, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, dazzled with a 70-run blitz, leaving the Australians scrambling. Debutant Navjot Singh Sidhu, shedding his "strokeless wonder" tag, showcased audacious hitting, racing to 73 off 79 deliveries. By the time India reached 207 for 2, victory seemed a foregone conclusion.
Dean Jones aptly summarized the shift in Indian mindset: "It was surprising to see Sunny take the lead. He set the tempo and lifted the entire team’s confidence."
The Turning Tide:
McDermott’s Spell of Magic
Just as India appeared poised for a comfortable win, Allan Border turned to Craig McDermott. The pacer’s second spell proved transformative. Mixing pace with cunning off-cutters, McDermott dismantled India’s middle order, sending Sidhu, Mohammad Azharuddin, and Dilip Vengsarkar back to the pavilion in quick succession. Ravi Shastri fell to a deceptive slower ball, leaving India’s lower order to navigate a mounting crisis.
"McDermott was like a racehorse," Jones remarked. "Once he got his confidence, he grew stronger and better. His 'gorilla teeth' were out, and the bite was real."
The Final Act: Drama
at the Death
Even with McDermott’s heroics, India needed just 16 runs off the last four overs with four wickets in hand. But pressure can reduce even champions to mere mortals. Kapil Dev’s dismissal off Simon O’Donnell’s bowling triggered a collapse. Binny’s ill-advised dash for a single led to a run-out, and Kiran More’s brief resurgence ended with a miscalculation.
With six runs required off the final over, No. 11 Maninder Singh faced Steve Waugh. A couple of well-placed shots brought India close, needing two runs off two balls. Then came the unthinkable. Waugh’s straight delivery uprooted Maninder’s stumps, sealing India’s fate at 269—agonizingly short by a single run.
The Aftermath: A
Match for the Ages
The six—or four—that sparked controversy ultimately decided the outcome. Bob Simpson reflected, "It may have seemed like good fortune for us, but it was right."
The loss was a bitter pill for India, yet it underscored cricket’s inherent unpredictability. For Australia, it was a stepping stone towards their maiden World Cup triumph, solidifying their status as a cricketing powerhouse.
This match remains a symbol of cricket’s glorious uncertainty, where every run, decision, and moment can alter the course of history.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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