Mohinder Amarnath

India perhaps caused the biggest upset in World Cup history to win the 1983 tournament. Considered one of the minnows they beat two-time champions the West Indies to bring the Prudential World Cup home.

One of the stars of that historic triumph was all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath who was named the man of the match in the semi-final as well as the final.

Amarnath nicknamed 'Jimmy' is also know as the come back man of Team India. He belongs to an illustrious cricketing family with his father Lala Amarnath being the first post-independence skipper of Team India and brother Surinder Amarnath also representing the country.

Jimmy made his ODI debut against England in the 1975 World Cup match at the Lord's conceding 60 runs in 12 overs. India lost the match by a massive 202 runs and is famously known as the match in which Sunil Gavaskar batted for 174 balls to score 36 not out.

Amarnath career reflected India's performance in the ODI's and turned a new leaf only during the 1983 edition.

In a Group B league match against Zimbabwe on June 11, Amarnath showed the world that he could be a star of the tournament scoring 44 runs. Then in the match against the West Indies on June 15, he scored a fighting 80 but could not save the day for India.

But when India reached the semis, Amarnath was in full flow. England won the toss and decided to bat first but the Indian pacers made the life of the host batsmen difficult bowling then out for 213.

Amarnath took the important wickets of David Gower and Michael Gatting giving away only 27 runs in his 12 overs. When the chase began, Amarnath contributed 46 runs to the total as India won the match by six wickets.

In the final, too, Amarnath gave a brilliant all-round performance to guide India to their first World Cup trophy.

Indian batted first and were bowled out for only 183 with Amarnath making 26 runs occupying the crease for 80 balls. The score was considered too easy for the mighty Windies.

However, Amarnath's magic arm had not yet finished and he scalped three Caribbean batsmen including last man Michael Holding to start the celebration in the Indian dressing room.

In all Amarnath played in 14 World Cup matches scoring 254 runs at an average of 21.16 with a highest of 80. He also took 16 wickets at 26.93 apiece with three for in the final against the West Indies being his best.