New Delhi, Abhishek Tripathi. On 18 June 1983, the then Indian captain Kapil Dev scored an unbeaten 175-run knock in the World Cup match against Zimbabwe at the Neville Cricket Ground in Tunbridge Wells. In ODIs, it was the biggest innings of the World Cup at that time. India’s five wickets fell for 17 runs.
Kapil not only led India to victory by scoring 16 fours and six sixes in 138 balls, but it gave the team the confidence that they also defeated the world champions West Indies and won the World Cup. The second highest score after him in that match was that of Syed Kirmani (24 not out). India scored 266 runs for eight wickets, and then won by 31 runs, dismissing the opposing team for 235 runs.
Rododendron flowers bloom here
Last year, I was there to cover the World Cup in England. Two days before the match between India and Australia, due to rain, we did not have a training session, so we thought that most people could not see that innings of Kapil Dev, at least to see that ground. The match was not recorded due to the strike of the World Cup broadcaster BBC. Apart from about 4000 people on the field, no one was able to see Kapil’s innings.
From London’s Oval Tube (Metro) station, after catching the tube, Charing Cross Railway Station, from there, after arriving at Tunbridge Wells station via train, reached the grounds of Neville, County Team Wales via taxi. When reached there, it was found that it is not a stadium like Lord’s, Oval, Wankhede and MCG. It is a small county team ground with nothing but seats and dressing rooms and nothing but endless beauty. There was neither security personnel nor staff in the office of this ground gate in the small town.
The boundary of the ground will be 60 to 65 meters. The field appeared as soon as he walked 10 steps. The ground is still the same. The green-green grassland boundary is made up of blue and purple colored rhododendron flowering trees. These flowers are found in this cricket ground. Even in the 21st century, everything seemed natural there. There are two seating stands, one of which has the same old-fashioned dressing room and a small pub. The Blumental stand has 412 seats, while the small pavilion next to it has a seating area of 124 people. Temporary seats are placed around the grounds at the time of the match, which allows around 6000 people to watch the match here.
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People still remember that match
While I was getting information about the stadium there, I found Steve Knicker living nearby. He said that I saw that match. Around 4000 spectators were present in that match. This was the first and last ODI international match of this ground. Due to the cloud, the ball was swinging and this was the reason that four batsmen of India including Gavaskar reached the pavilion early.
Everyone felt that this match would win Zimbabwe, but Kapil did what no one expected. There was a lot of wind that day and Kapil was hitting fours and sixes in the off side against the wind. If I compare that innings with anyone, Ian Botham only remembers the 1981 innings when he hit a century against Australia after the follow-on.
Neville is a road adjacent to the cricket ground and on the other side is the home of Geoffrey Richards. The Richards came to the ground walking with their dogs. Cricket enthusiasts said that I was not here during the 1983 World Cup. I came to stay here later, but the neighbors said that Kapil hit a six that the ball fell into the house in which I now live. In fact, he will be six hundred meters long.
Regarding this historic match, former captain of the Indian team Kapil Dev has said that the match in Zimbabwe was a match that made the whole team feel that we can beat the top four teams and when it is our day, we can make any Can defeat the team. This innings gave the team confidence that we have the ability to win under any circumstances and we can come back in any situation.
