WI vs IND: 3 most memorable ODI encounters

India and West Indies will be locking horns with each other in a three-match ODI series starting Friday, July 22. The Men in Blue will be led by senior batter Shikhar Dhawan with regular skipper Rohit Sharma being rested for the One Day series. Meanwhile, it will be a perfect opportunity for the bench strength to prove their mettle.

There have been a few ODI matches between India and the Windies that have turned out to be really interesting in the last few years having provided wholesome entertainment. Without further ado, here’s a look at three of them.

3. Hero Cup Final 1993, Kolkata

This remains a cult classic as far as India-West Indies ODI rivalry is concerned. India posted 225/7 riding on Vinod Kambli’s 68. However, the total would be ample for India to defend as the Eden Gardens wicket turned square in the second innings. Spin legend Anil Kumble destroyed the famed Windies batting line-up with outstanding bowling figures of 6/12 as India convincingly came out on top by a mammoth 102 runs.

2. 2nd ODI 2006, Kingston

The West Indies snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in this low-scoring thriller despite India having a well-set Yuvraj Singh out in the middle, who scored a valiant 93 and kept the Indian hopes alive chasing 199.

Yuvraj threatened to take the game away from the hosts with his flamboyant batting and the Caribbeans needed something special to stop him. Ultimately, it took the brilliance of Dwayne Bravo to get the job done as he dismissed the southpaw in the final over with a slower ball as the West Indies emerged victorious by one run.

3. 1983 World Cup Final, Lord’s

West Indies had all the resources in their arsenal and had made the finals having won the first two editions in 1975 and 1979.  They bowled out India for a paltry 183 on a green wicket with only K Srikkanth top-scoring with 38. In reply, India had West Indies in a spot of bother before Viv Richards’ explosive batting sent them into panic mode.

Just when Richards looked to take the match away from the Indians single-handedly, the then captain Kapil Dev’s outstanding backward running catch proved to be the turning point of the contest as the Caribbeans were bundled out for 140. India not only lifted the coveted trophy with a 43-run win but also ended the Caribbean supremacy in World Cups.