Crucial man, with a long history

Madan Lal, the Indian bowler who dismissed Vivian Richards at the 1983 World Cup Final to seal India's win, was born today in 1951. His career would be one of a prolific all-round domestic and international performance.

A "wicket" smile; Source: Public Domain

On the 20th of March 1951, was born Madan Lal, in Amritsar, Punjab. Most people till date remember him for the 1983 World Cup final, where his bowling destroyed the West Indies batting order and then dismissed their threatening striker Vivian Richards to seal the deal in the final.

However, Madan Lal was more than that one match, as his career spans decades before and after that fateful day at the finals. Madan Lal’s test career speaks for itself, for he was responsible time and again for scoring a crucial knock - even if for 10-20 runs, since he batted very low in the order, but these knocks usually led India out of a definite loss and in towards a draw or a victory. Careful calculation became a feature of his batting style, with an odd boundary thrown in time and again.

It was in domestic cricket that Madan Lal really stood out and outshone his compatriots. In the Ranji trophy, he scored 5270 runs and 351 wickets were knocked by him. In fact, he led Delhi to its first title victory by ripping through the Karnataka batting order in the 1978-79 finals. This feat he would repeat as captain again and again, in 1985-86 and 1988-89.

Madan Lal’s post retirement scenario has also been interesting. He is part of the cricket advisory committee for recruiting selectors, and he has been a coach and selector before that. He coached the UAE team in the mid-90s, and India in 1996-97.

Madan Lal ran a cricket academy in Siri, at the sports complex there, and after 2010, he shifted to the Sanjay Jagdale MPCA Academy as its chief coach. Whether he is remembered for the bat or the ball, for the catch that secured the cup or any other happening, Madan Lal remains an inspiring figure in cricketing history.