The day India tamed the West Indies

By A.C. de Silva

CRICKET: At Madras some 31 years ago - that's in 1979 January 16th to be exact, India somewhat scored a close win over the West Indies by three wickets. But it was not easy going. India needed just 125 runs to get at the Test win in Madras, but Kallicharran's West Indian cricketers made the Indians fight all the way for the three-wicket win.

The three quicker bowlers of the West Indies - Clarke, Phillip and Holder made the Indian batsmen struggle for every run. India in fact, took over four hours to make the required runs and at one stage, they were reduced to 84 for 6 wickets and were seemed heading for defeat.

But then there was that fine allrounder Kapil Dev who came to India's aid. Kapil Dev's courage, intelligence and effective striking which fetched him 26 not out in the match was what brought India victory. The winning run came off a shrewdly run bye. Clarke went round the wicket to bounce at Kapil Dev, but the batsman who had planned that move with his able partner, Kirmani, left his stumps exposed and made the run to the surprise of the West Indies team. It certainly was good thinking.

It was a Test match which did not go the full distance. It ended 50 minutes after lunch on the fourth day. And for this, the pitch was entirely responsible. It was like granite, and the ball bounced on it as it was made of rubber, stroke-making was not easy and very few of the recognised batsmen in both sides could say that they were not on the retreat when the ball was thumped short.

Pacemen revel

For the quick bowlers, the playing strip was a boon. Kapil Dev and Ghavri accounted for 11 of the 20 West Indies wickets. For the West Indies, Clarke, Phillips and Holder took 16 of the 20 Indian wickets. These statistics alone would give people who did not watch the Test an idea of how the pitch behaved.

Experienced players like Kallicharran - the Windies captain, said that he had never come across a pitch with so much of bounce. It was difficult to explain why the pitch behaved like that to assist the pace bowlers such a lot. However, it provided a decision in four Tests in the series, and what is more, it was scope for some entertaining cricket.

Getting a pitch ready for play is a difficult exercise. And if Kallicharran had the least inkling that it would have played the way it did, one is sure he would have asked India to bat first, after he won the toss.

But it was West Indies who batted first and before long, they were in knee-deep in trouble with six of their top batsmen out for a meagre 68 runs. Kallicharran, alone one of the front liners, played a lovely innings of 98 with 16 boundaries in 3 1/2 hours. He was in no trouble against the Indian bowlers.

The early West Indian batsmen were in trouble against the rising ball, with Kapil Dev and Ghavri making the best use of the wicket. Then there was a rearguard partnership of 42 runs for the 9th wicket between Phillip (22 not out) and Holder (20) which exposed the overall poor quality of the West Indies batting difficult to accept. Kapil Dev and Ghavri made use of the pitch which seemed to be helping them. West Indies were finally all out for 228 in the first innings.

Gavaskar out cheaply

India lost opener Gavaskar cheaply for 4 in the evening on the first day and they too could get moving. The stand which turned the match in India's favour was the 8th wicket partnership between Viswanath (124) and Kirmani (33) which realised 70 runs. Kirmani played an attacking knock.

At close on the second day, Viswanath was 120 not out with 17 boundaries. For Viswanath, it was his 7th Test century then and the third against the West Indies. It was India's 50th Test and India were 250 for 8 wickets at close on the second day.

Came day number three and India lost the last two wickets, those of Viswanath - the last man at 124 and the home team had increased the lead to 27 runs.

Kapil Dev and Ghavri made the intended dents into the West Indies batting while Venketraghavan who accounted for both Larry Gomes and Kallicharran finished with 4 wickets for 43 in the second innings. He had a match haul of 7 wickets for 103 runs. West Indies batted disappointingly in the second innings with only Larry Gomes making 91 in a total of 151.

India was set to get 125 runs for victory and it looked a simple task.

The 75 minutes India had to bat on the third evening had much controversy attached with the West Indies bowlers bowling short-pitched deliveries.

Gavaskar was hit on the hand from a rising delivery from Clark who also hit Vengsarkar on the face. However, India eassed through to make 125 for 7 wickets and thereby clinched victory by three wickets. Viswanath was again the top scorer with 31.