India v England 1981-82

At Cuttack, January 27. India won by five wickets. The one-day decider followed the pattern of its predecessors, with the side lucky with the toss electing to field and winning by several wickets. Only a tremendous thrash by Fletcher and Botham gave India any challenge, for on a dampish, seaming pitch England were only 118 for four after 35 overs. The last eleven brought another 112 as Fletcher (four 6s) and Botham (two 6s) threw the bat against the medium-pacers, Kapil Dev returning only at the end. Although the pitch had eased when India batted, England might still have snatched a win had Botham not dropped Gavaskar at 6 off an awkward, swirling caught and bowled when he chased into the covers. India's captain went on to take brilliant advantage of the Indian playing condition that required seven men in the fielding circle for fifteen overs.

Man of the Match: S. M. Gavaskar.