Viv Richards still shudders at that 1983 shot'

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Thursday, 26 June , 2008, 17:51
Last Updated: Thursday, 26 June , 2008, 19:32


London: Twenty-five years after winning the cricket World Cup, team members sparkled as they talked about the key moments of the Lord's final that catapulted India to a world-beating side.

And after skipper Kapil Dev, the man who was most sought after at a media event Wednesday was Delhi all-rounder Madan Lal, who bagged the prize wicket of Viv Richards, one of the greatest batsmen of all time.

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Richards, on 33, was hammering the Indian bowling when Kapil asked Madan Lal to take a short rest. But Madan Lal, rather than lose heart, asked Kapil for one more over.

The imperious Richards pulled, miscued and holed out to Kapil, who took a running catch at square leg.

"I think Viv must be coming here every year to see that ball," joked Madan Lal.

"Every year, he comes here and asks, 'why did I hit that ball!!'" he guffawed, warming to the subject.

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"He's such a great batsman. But when a great batsman like him goes after you, you know you can get him out.

"I knew Kapil would catch the ball. He was a very good fielder."

Other than Richard's famous wicket, Kapil thought the turning point in the match was when Roger Binny took the wicket of rival skipper Clive Lloyd, again caught by Kapil.

"Once Lloyd was out, we knew we would win… because he had the maximum experience," said Kapil of the sixth wicket.

"After seven or eight wickets we thought we could win it," added Madan Lal.

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What the ageing squad enjoys most is to reflect on the last wicket - that of fast bowler Michael Holding.

"When Holding played the pull, I naturally ran to pick up the ball and save the single," recalled Gavaskar.

"And then I heard this huge roar, and I knew it was an LBW.

"So I just picked up the ball and put in my pocket."