AHMED ABAD, India, Indian Captain Kapil Dev was, not a happy man despite his team’s seven wicket win over Zimbabwe in the World Cup Group A cricket match here.
It took India 42 overs to pass Zimbabwe’s modest total of 191 for seven, and as a result their run rate per ‘over dropped from 5.31 t0 5.18, “We should have made it by 38 overs. Feeling bad”, said Kapil Dev. who slammed three sixes — one of them the winning hit — in an effort to boost the scoring rate.
‘The Indian Captain, named man of the match for his 4 not out and two wickets, said he sent out a message to Sunil Gavaskar, who made 50 in 35 overs, telling him to hurry up the scoring. In the end Gavaskar fell playing an imprudent swing but it seemed his Captain was not particularly impressed.
Navjot Sidhu, India’s number three, was also more restrained than he has been in making 55, his fourth half century in as many World Cup matches.
India’s run rate is now blow Australia’s 5.20 and although they stilled ‘the action, their position is vulnerable ‘The Australians have a match in hand ‘and with games against New Zealand and Zimbabwe to come, will be looking to pip India on faster scoring and finish (6p of the group, If they did this, India would have to go to Lahore to face Pakistan in the semifinals.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 30, 1987
