Published: Jun 25, 2013, 11:04 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 25, 2013, 11:04 PM (IST)
Kapil Dev led India to a 43-run victory over the West Indies to clinch the 1983 World Cup © IANS
New Delhi: Jun 25, 2013
On the 30th year of India’s maiden World Cup triumph, then captain of the team Kapil Dev feels that particular evening at Lord’s “changed the dimension” of the game in the country.
“We felt that the 1983 World Cup changed the entire sport in our country and gave a new dimension to Indian cricket,” Kapil said on Tuesday.
“We were just a bunch of young boys who wanted to have fun. Winning was more fun in the evening and that’s what we started to look out for how we can enjoy more. The first match [against the West Indies] gave us a little hope. After that our aim was to make the top four. Every match became more and more serious after that,” Kapil fondly recollected.
One of the key member of Kapil’s team, legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar told Bcci.tv, “If you look at 183 with the kind of batting line-up that West Indies had, it really should have been a walk in the park for them.”
He further added,”It’s something that brings goosebumps even after so many years. At times, it is difficult to believe that you were once a part of a World Cup winning team.”
“It is the best moment of your cricketing career to see your captain lift the World Cup up in the air with massive reaction and reception from the huge crowd gathered at the Lord’s. It was a moment to savour,” Gavaskar stated.
All-rounder Ravi Shastri, who was a part of the squad said, “Being the youngest man in that party, all I’ll tell you is that day at the Lords changed my life. June 25, 1983 changed the face of Indian cricket. And when I say that I don’t only mean the cricket lovers. The corporates got behind the team, the media started to give the Indian cricket team the recognition they deserved.”
