Relive one of the most thrilling battles in ODI cricket history—Kapil Dev vs Robin Smith in the 3rd ODI at Chandigarh, January 21, 1993. Kapil Dev produced a mesmerizing spell of swing bowling, forcing Robin Smith into pure survival mode with outswingers and inswingers that moved beautifully off the pitch.
Watch how Kapil Dev’s rhythm, skill, and accuracy troubled one of England’s top batsmen, leading to dramatic moments including a dropped catch at slip. Robin Smith eventually scored 42 off 106 balls, helping England post 198, but India chased it down to win the match by 5 wickets.
If you love classic cricket, Kapil Dev’s mastery, and vintage India vs England battles, this clip is a treat for you!
👉 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more rare cricket moments. Tell us: How would you rate Kapil Dev’s bowling in this match?
00:00Relive the thrilling duel between Kapil Dev and Robin Smith from the third ODI in Chandigarh
00:05played on January 21, 1993. It was one of those rare days when the pitch looked flat,
00:12the condition looked friendly for batting, but Kapil Dev made the ball talk. With the brand new
00:17ball in hand, Kapil Dev produced a spell that forced Robin Smith, one of England's finest
00:22passmen, into complete survival mode. His let-out swingers and sharp-wing swingers had Smith hopping,
00:29shuffling and even dancing down the track in sheer desperation. The Englishman simply could not read
00:35the subtle variation in Kapil Dev's wrist position and C movement. It was vintage Kapil Dev rhythm,
00:41craft and class in perfect harmony. So Cricket fans, how would you rate Kapil Dev's
00:46falling in that unforgettable match? Share your thoughts in the comments.
00:53Robin Smith has not made the happiest stuff this tour, especially against Finn,
00:59but now he's up against Kapil Dev.
01:05Now Kapil Dev has been a little bit erratic this morning. We've seen some very good out-swingers.
01:09We've also seen quite a lot of stuff down the next side, and I dare say Mr. Ramaswamy must have
01:16thought about it, speaking of the wife.
01:21Yes, I think he's trying so hard to swing the ball, this Kapil Dev. He's trying to pitch it about
01:26leg and middle and swing it away, and he's probably trying to make the ball do too much,
01:30instead of pitching it about off-stump. That's the line. You see, if you ball at off-stump and it just
01:36moves a little bit, you bring the slip into play. That was an absolute beauty. The perfect out-swinger,
01:49and got Smith into all sorts of trouble. See, that's that line again, right in the corridor of off-stump
01:56from just outside, next to Batman, push at it, the ball swings, and you've every chance of bringing
02:02the wing keeper and the two slips into play. And he's just begun to get the right line and the
02:09right length of Robin Smith, instead of pushing it down like a stump. All and again, but, no,
02:18I thought it had gone through for a bye. A wicket maiden, 19 for one. Cutter has been taken off,
02:24and Srinath. Srinath's not the first bowler who's got his tail up when he's got an alley with you.
02:29Jorvitz.
02:33Oh, he's got it! Oh, he's dropped it! A brilliant juggling effort by Emil Kumble. It looked as though
02:39it had stuck, but, eventually, it came out as it. I would think about the third or fourth attempt.
02:45Kumble looked distraught. That was a brilliant effort. And, finally,
02:50Jorvitz. Robin Smith losing his patience, flashing at that ball. A beautiful out-stump. And,
02:55there you see Kumble, after many attempts, not able to latch onto it. I thought he had it. And,
03:02indeed, I'm sure he thought he had it. And, then, it finally popped out.
03:09So, a stroke of great good fortune there for Robin Smith. You'll be able to capitalise on it.
03:14And, that was one of those agonising jobs, you see. So, you think he's got it. But, it just won't stick.
03:18Yes, and, Manuel Kumble is more a specialist selling fielder than a Texas fielder. And,
03:24it's a very good rolling by a couple. They've rolled a couple of inch fingers,
03:27then followed it with this out-stump. And, there you see, that's the starter check. And,
03:30you're still not able to hang onto it. It actually was quite a simple check. It's
03:35straight acting at a reasonable height. You just need to snatch it up on the triple.
03:4421, for two.
03:5513 over 12, 22, for two.
04:14So it nullifies the good ball in the three major seamers.
04:34The whole city is divided up into different sectors.
04:38That's a great shot by Smith.
04:39And that's a terrible piece of fielding.
04:41It's gone away for four.
04:44And so at the end of the 17th over, England 42 for three.
04:50Change and Tendulkar after that last over which cost nine.
04:54And in all three overs for 16 is off.
04:57And we have our first look at spin for the day.
05:01Well, if I was the England batsman, I don't think I'd be looking at Raju too long.
05:05I think I'd be wanting to plunder him for a few runs.
05:07With the seamers making the ball zip about and the odd one keep low.
05:11The odd one bouncing to you on the fingers.
05:13I think once you've had a few sighters from the spinner, I think you've got to look to get after him a bit.
05:21And here the boycott bugle charged in the distance already.
05:25The kevlar is forming up.
05:27Well, you haven't got to do it silly, because you don't want to lose your wicket.
05:33Good shot by Smith.
05:36Swept away.
05:36And it was interesting for me at Jaipur that the Indian batsman against the England spinners, Embry, played him very straight.
05:44But as soon as the England batsman started, they started to get out the sweep, which no Indian played.
05:48Well, that slid away.
06:02Sidhu will dive.
06:03A terrific effort, but in the end it's got away for four.
06:07And there is no justice for Srinath.
06:12And Anil Kumblai doesn't look too happy with life either.
06:14Well, this really does zip away off the outside edge.
06:19He's made a couple go through third slip.
06:24Having a tough time is the second slip.
06:26The one that went to hand, he dropped.
06:28And two or three have been either dropping short or wide of him.
06:33Four on this pitch.
06:34They've got to bat.
06:38Well, it's a poor piece of keeping by Yedav.
06:40It's going to rush away.
06:41And that is another four runs.
06:43It's valuable stuff for England.
06:46So although England are losing wickets, runs keep coming.
06:50It's off the pads and then outside edges via slip.
06:54All these count.
06:57And it may well be a low-scoring game and a very tight contest.
07:01Every run is vital.
07:02And I thought England are in trouble at 57 for four,
07:06India have got to keep attacking, keep being positive.
07:09But we really don't want to give any easy runs away to England in this low-scoring game.
07:18And I dare say today, spin is not going to present the sort of problems to the England batsmen they were fearful about in Jaipur.
07:25It's a different sort of a pitch.
07:40So, turban up a tree.
07:43It's a splendid sight, isn't it?
07:44From England's point of view, Smith and Hig to continue.
07:48And two people in the crowd just breaking into their picnics early on.
07:59Oh, and that one swung and nipped away.
08:02Smith has been struggling outside that often, both when a couple there was rolling.
08:10And this time, of course, he's reached for that one.
08:13It's the last four was coming in.
08:15And he has to try and make contact with as many deliveries as he can to try and get them away for a run.
08:20He wouldn't have played that shot otherwise.
08:23She's still a little bit in it for the seamers, though.
08:26And it's forgettable.
08:27Just to go back to the events in Bombay, I think you're being a bit modest, Sunil, because the stories we read were that you nipped them.
08:48Big appeal.
08:49That's out!
08:51Full pass.
08:52Court in front.
08:53So, Smith's long vigil is over.
08:57And he's out for 42.
08:59And England have lost their fifth wicket for 132.
09:06Sunil Kumble striking at last.
09:09He doesn't turn the ball much.
09:10He's mainly straight coming into the bathroom.
09:14And Robinson trying to flip across the line.
09:17Being hit very low down.
09:19And Ampire Romney had no hesitation in declaring him out LW.
09:23And England are 132.
09:25There were moments when Robin Smith looked completely beaten only to somehow survive.
09:30Then came the big chance.
09:32A thick edge flew straight to the slip cordon.
09:34Only for Anil Kumble to spell what looked like a straightforward catch.
09:38The crowd erupted disappointment echoing around the stadium.
09:42They knew how special that Kapil Dev spell was and they wanted the reward it deserved.
09:48Despite the early struggle, Robin Smith fought hard and scored 42 of 106 balls, spanning 130 minutes at the crease, including 4-4s, helping length reach a modest target of 198.
10:00India, however, chased it down comfortably and won the match by five wickets.
10:05So watching these old classic remind us why we fell in love with cricket in the first place.
10:10The Kapil Dev vs. Robin Smith showdown remains one of the most magical moments in the history of India-England ODI encounters.
10:17If you like this video, please comment, share and subscribe.
Be the first to comment