India played England in the first match of the first-ever cricket World Cup at Lord’s on 7 June, 42 years ago.
Four years after the first ODI cricket match was played, the then Prudential Cup – named after the sponsors Prudential plc – comprised 60 over games.
Eight teams – India, Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, West Indies, Sri Lanka and East Africa – were hosted by England in the first-of-its-kind tournament in 1975. At the time, South Africa was banned from international cricket because of apartheid system.
The opening game of the 1975 World Cup was, however, a bummer for India. Opting to bat, England posted 334 in their 60 overs. In response, India managed to put up just 132 in their allotted overs, with Sunil Gavaskar scoring just 36 from 174 balls.
The Clive Lloyd-led West Indies defeated Australia by 17 runs in the final at Lord's to clinch the first-ever World Cup trophy.
Courtesy Lloyd’s 102 off 108, West Indies posted 291/8 in their 60 overs and then bowled Australia all out for 274 in 58.4 overs.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)