Since 1975, the West Indies have celebrated over 50 years of cricketing achievement, beginning with their victory in the inaugural ICC One Day International (ODI) World Cup. They successfully defended their title in 1979, establishing a formidable legacy in international cricket.
The 1983 Cricket World Cup final at Lord’s is renowned for the delivery often referred to as the “Golden Ball of the Century”. Delivered on June 25th, 1983, during the second innings of the final, this inswinger from Balwinder Sandhu dismissed Gordon Greenidge, significantly impacting the match. West Indies, defending 184 runs, were all out for 140 in 50 overs, falling 43 runs short of India’s target of 183 in 54.4 overs.
This pivotal moment is widely regarded as a turning point in cricket history, transforming India from perceived underdogs to champions and elevating the sport’s status within the country. India subsequently hosted the 1987 World Cup, and by 1990, cricket had overtaken soccer as the most popular sport in the world.
The success of that delivery contributed to India’s cricketing rise, culminating in the 1983 World Cup victory. The story was later dramatized in the Bollywood film “83,” which depicted the events of the tournament and reached a global audience of over two billion viewers, highlighting cricket’s cultural significance in India.
In sports and life, pivotal moments—referred to as “turning points” can alter the course of events. The 1983 delivery from Sandhu exemplifies such a moment, shaping the future landscape of India & international cricket.
Balwinder Singh Sandhu, the bowler of that historic delivery, later collaborated with the film industry to ensure accurate casting that reflected the likenesses of the players involved, thereby preserving the authenticity of this iconic event.
Balwinder Singh Sandhu with Jatin Patel in USA.
