On This Day In 1976: A Record Run-Chase By India That Changed World Cricket Forever

“Gentlemen, I gave you 400 runs to bowl at and you failed to bowl out the opposition. How many runs must I give you in the future to make sure you get the wickets?” A fuming Clive Lloyd asked his bowlers after he saw the Indian team scale down what looked like an impossible run-chase of 404 at Port of Spain, on this day in 1976.

And, World cricket has never been the same again! Coming into the Test series, both sides had been fuming. The West Indies had been outgunned 1-5 by the ruthless Australians, Team India had been at the receiving end of some atrocious umpiring on their recent tour to New Zealand.

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Tons from Viv Richards and Kallicharran and a six-for from Michael Holding helped Windies set-up a daunting total for India

West Indies won the first Test by a comprehensive margin of an innings and 97 runs at Kensington Oval in Barbados. India, riding on hundreds from Sunil Gavaskar (156) and Brijesh Patel (115) would have won the second Test at Port of Spain, had the first day of the match not been washed out.

The third Test was originally scheduled to take place at Bourda, but due to inclement weather, it had to be shifted to Port of Spain. With the pitch expected to assist spinners, Clive Lloyd decided to place faith on his spinners- Adam Padmore, Imtiaz Ali and left-arm spinner Raphick Jumadeen- and dropped Andy Roberts (let that sink in) from the line-up.

West Indies won the toss and on a pitch that was expected to turn, decided to bat first. After a brisk start by the openers, Chandra claimed three quick wickets to reduce the home side to 3-52.

Sir Vivian Richards, then proceeded to shellack the Indians to all corners of Port of Spain to the tune of 177 (his third century in as many Tests). Richards fell to Bedi, post which another collapse ensued as the Windies lost their last five wickets for 25 runs. Chandra claimed six while Bedi took the remaining four wickets as the home side were bowled out for 359.

Michael Holding then proceeded to wreak havoc on the Indian batting unit. The ‘Whispering death’ claimed 6-65, which also included the prize wicket of Gavaskar, who, after having scored five consecutive 50-plus scores at Port of Spain, finally registered a rare failure when he was dismissed for 26.

India was bowled out for 228, 131 runs in arrears to the West Indies first-innings total.

Just like the first innings, Indian spinners caused an early collapse before Alvin Kallicharran racked up a magnificent hundred. Lloyd declared as soon as Kallicharran reached his hundred, with the overall lead being 402.

Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Vishwanath set the ball rolling amidst Mohinder Amarnath grit and patience

India had never chased a total in excess of 256 in their history and as Sunil Gavaskar revealed later, that while he was confident of saving the game, the thought of winning the match had never entered his head.

Gavaskar was known for his astute defense and the ability to grind it out in the middle, but the way he counterattacked the likes of Bernard Jullien and Michael Holding, showcased a different dimension of his batting. The Little Master accumulated 69 runs for the opening wicket before Gaekwad fell to Jumadeen for 28.

The fall of the first wicket brought Mohinder Amarnath to the wicket. Amarnath had been in decent form and his astute defense and patience, allowed Gavaskar to unleash hell against the Windies bowlers, and how!

India finished the fourth day at 1-134, still requiring 269 on the final day.

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The Climax and the Aftermath

Gavaskar struggled to find his timing on the fifth day and was eventually dismissed for 102 off the bowling of Jumadeen.

With the score reading at 2-177, India needed another three-figure score from one of their batsmen. Enter Gundappa Vishwanath. And, just like Gavaskar, Vishwanath looked at his imperious best, cutting and driving the spinners with absolute disdain. Amarnath, on the other end, was an epitome of patience and formed an ideal partner to the free-flowing Vishy.

Lloyd delayed the new ball and when he finally took it, with the score reading 2-223, Vishwanath was well set and the runs started to become freely.

The Karnataka batsman soon racked up his hundred before tragedy struck at the score of 336 when a horrible miscommunication paved way for a run-out.

With still 67 runs to get, India entered the final hour of mandatory overs. The Men in Blue needed someone to go gung-ho, which is exactly what they got from Brijesh Patel, who strokes a whirlwind 49, forcing Clive Lloyd to finally resort to defensive fields. Amarnath, who had held the fort for 440 minutes for his 86, was finally run-out, courtesy a direct-hit from Lloyd.

But, Brijesh Patel ensured that India pulled off the miraculous heist when he pulled Jumadeen for four to send the Indian contingent of the crowd into absolute ecstasy.

This Test proved to be the last time that Lloyd placed faith in his spinners. What followed next was a ‘bloodbath in Jamaica’.

In many ways, India’s historic run-chase in 1976 proved to be a watershed moment in the history of Test cricket. Over the course of the next 20 years, the batsmen around the world were battered, bruised, hospitalized and decimated courtesy, you know who? Windies fast bowlers!!