Kapil Dev: The Inspirational Captain

Kapil Dev, the captain of the Indian team, was the driving force behind India’s World Cup success. His leadership and all-round performance were pivotal. Kapil’s innings of 175 not out against Zimbabwe, when India was struggling at 17/5, is still remembered as one of the greatest individual performances in World Cup history. His resilience and ability to lead from the front inspired the team to rise to the occasion and achieve victory.

Mohinder Amarnath: The Man of the Match

Mohinder Amarnath was named the Man of the Match in the 1983 World Cup final for his crucial contributions with both bat and ball. His innings of 26 runs and three wickets for 12 runs were instrumental in India’s victory. Amarnath’s performance was a testament to his composure under pressure and his ability to deliver when it mattered most.

Sunil Gavaskar: The Iconic Opener

Sunil Gavaskar, one of cricket’s all-time greats, was a key figure in India’s batting lineup. Although Gavaskar’s World Cup campaign was not as prolific as his usual performances, his presence and experience provided stability to the Indian team. His contributions in the earlier stages of the tournament helped set the foundation for India’s success.

Srinivas Venkataraghavan: The Reliable Off-Spinner

Srinivas Venkataraghavan played a crucial role in India’s bowling attack during the 1983 World Cup. His off-spin was effective throughout the tournament, and his performance in the final was noteworthy. Venkataraghavan’s ability to break partnerships and contain the opposition was an essential component of India’s World Cup-winning strategy.

Roger Binny: The Unsung Hero

Roger Binny was one of the key bowlers in India’s World Cup squad, finishing as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets. His ability to extract bounce and movement was critical in both the group stages and knockout rounds. Binny’s contributions, often overshadowed by the more flamboyant performances, were vital to India’s success in 1983.

The Support Cast: Contributions of Other Legends

The victory in 1983 was not solely the result of a few standout performances but rather the collective effort of the entire squad. Players like Yashpal Sharma, who scored 89 against England, and the ever-reliable Dilip Vengsarkar, who contributed with crucial runs, played significant roles. The contributions of wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani and fast bowler Balwinder Sandhu further strengthened the team’s performance.

India’s 1983 World Cup win was a turning point in cricketing history. It not only marked India’s entry into the elite league of world cricket but also inspired a new generation of cricketers and fans. The victory brought cricket to the forefront of Indian sports and laid the groundwork for the sport’s explosive growth in the country.

The heroes of the 1983 World Cup remain etched in Indian cricketing folklore. Their achievements continue to inspire and resonate with cricket fans and players. As we celebrate this legendary team, we remember their extraordinary contributions and the legacy they have left behind. Their triumph in 1983 remains a powerful symbol of determination, teamwork, and national pride.

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Sharma played 37 Tests and 42 One-Day Internationals for India during his six-year career, scoring 1,606 and 883 runs respectively. He passed away on July 13 in 2021.

He scored two centuries and 13 fifties for India between 1978 and 1985.

Former India cricketer Yashpal Sharma was regarded as one of the best middle-order batsmen of his generation. The fearless attitude of tearing apart opposing bowlers helped India win their first World Cup in 1983. Sharma had earned the trust of the Indian supporters since the first match of the season.

He represented his nation in 37 Tests and 42 ODIs, scoring two centuries and 13 fifties for India between 1978 and 1985.

Having made his ODI debut against Pakistan in 1978, the right-hander was given his first Test cap against England at Lord’s. Five years later, he would win the Cricket World Cup with India at the same venue.

After a successful World Cup run, the right-handed batter’s career took a turn for the worse. His poor performances in the following series against Pakistan and the West Indies cost him his position in the Test squad. He did, however, continue to play One-Day Internationals and First-Class cricket.

On the occasion of his 69th birth anniversary, let’s take a look at five of his knocks:

100 vs Australia (1979): In 1979, while playing against Australia at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, Sharma scored his first Test century. India declared their first innings after scoring 510 runs. Aside from Sharma, Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Vishwanath also scored 100 runs. The Test, however, ended in a tie.

89 vs West Indies (1983): Sharma hit his highest ODI score against the West Indies in the first match of the 1983 World Cup. His 120-ball 89 aided India’s solid start to the campaign. India scored 262 runs on the strength of the explosive knock. The West Indians responded by falling 34 runs short of the mark.
140 vs England (1982): Sharma’s greatest score in the game’s purest format came in the fifth Test of the six-match series against England. His 140-run effort, along with Vishwanath’s 222, kept India from collapsing in the first innings, resulting in a draw.

61 vs England (1983): In the 1983 World Cup, India was reeling at 50 for the loss of two wickets while chasing down 214 runs in 60 overs against England. Sharma’s bat showed once more in the crucial game, scoring 61 runs to lead the team to a place in the final.

40 vs Australia (1983):When India faced Australia in the final group match of the 1983 World Cup, it became a must-win situation. While the top order collapsed like a pack of cards, Yashpal Sharma took charge and hit a much-needed run-a-ball 40 to help the side reach 247 runs. The bowlers’ outstanding performances contributed to their 118-run victory.

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All that was thanks to that World Cup in 1983, when a bunch of players ambled into England with precious little hope of doing anything big and returned as champions, players who are still feted and celebrated. This was the World Cup of change.

Little Hope

India, led by that Haryana star Kapil Dev, went into England with very little to bank on. In the past two World Cups in 1975 and 1979, India had a single win, that too over unknown East Africa and had the ignominy of losing to associate nation Sri Lanka in the second edition.

So, when the team left for England, everyone in it was looking at another short tour, and several plans had been made within the side to travel to the US once they were done with the tournament, much before the final.

Their mood couldn’t have improved when they saw the West Indies in their group. This was a side that had run over anyone in their way to win both the 1975 and 1979 editions of the tournament and India surely could not change that.

Incredible

But incredibly, India did change that. Their first league match of the tournament, on June 9 at Old Trafford, Manchester, saw India pitted against the Caribbeans and history was made.

Yashpal Sharma was the hero with a fighting 89 as India scored 262/8 in their 60 overs and the West Indians, to their and the cricket world’s utter shock, fell short.

Roger Binny claimed 3/48 off 12 overs and Ravi Shastri had 3/26 and the West Indies fell short by 34 runs. India were on their way.

The Wheels Coming Off

Despite this win, this was a big league to play – each side played the other twice – so this could still go south. India beat Zimbabwe in their next game but then Australia came down on them like a ton of bricks.

Opener Trevor Chappell scored a century as Australia scored 320/9, Kapil Dev’s 5/43 notwithstanding.

India were dismissed for 158, with Kapil getting 40 runs and Kris Srikkanth 39. Ken MacLeay’s 6/39 was just too much.

Then it was the West Indies again. Vivian Richards scored a century and despite a late-order collapse, the West Indies scored 282/9. India’s reply was orchestrated by Mohinder Amarnath’s 80, but there was little else as they fell to a 66-run loss.

India were now looking down the barrel. They had to win everything from here to have any hope of making it to the semi-finals.

Kapil Dev’s Magic

Tunbridge Wells on June 18 was looking like the end. Zimbabwe reduced India to 9/4 and then 17/5 before Kapil Dev, with some company from Binny, took India to 77 before two more wickets fell.

But Kapil was not to be denied. His incredible record 175 not out, lost to the world because of a strike by the broadcasters, was unreal. It came off 138 balls with 16 boundaries and six sixes. Any modern-day batter would be challenged to achieve that strike rate

Syed Kirmani remained 24 not out as India reached 266/8 and the shell-shocked Zimbabwe capitulated.

Then came Australia again, but by this time, India believed. Their 247 off 55.5 overs didn’t look enough but Binny and Madan Lal claimed four wickets apiece as Australia were dismissed for 129.

Miracle Unfolds

India were in the semi-finals! This was a shock to the powers of the sport and a sensation for the expatriate crowd in England.

But the title was still not in their reach. After all, they had to get past the hosts in the semis.

England batted first and an ominous 69-run opening stand between Graeme Fowler and Chris Tavare was threatening before Binny took care of both. Kapil Dev claimed three wickets while Binny and Amarnath had two apiece, while Kirti Azad’s off-spin sent the dangerous Ian Botham back and England could muster only 213.

Yashpal Sharma score a fine 61 and everyone in the top order chipped in as India sailed through, with Sandeep Patil (51 not out) hitting the winning runs.

India were in the final!

India! India!!

The final at Lord’s was a foregone conclusion, or at least the West Indies team and fans thought so. They expatriate Caribbeans thronged the ground but the Indian fans were not to be undone. It was quite the stage for history to be made.

India batted first and the West Indies fast-bowling battery was in no mood to let them into the match. But Srikkanth scored a courageous 38, taking the attack to the bowlers and Amarnath chipped in with 26. Patil contributed 27 and the tail, in Madan Lal, Kirmani and Balwinder Sandhu, scored some crucial runs. But 183 was not much of a target.

Sandhu was back in action when Gordon Greenidge shouldered arms to an inswinger and lost his stumps, but Richards was in no mood to let the match meander.

The star clobbered 33 off 28 deliveries with seven boundaries and it looked like curtains for India before Kapil Dev grabbed a skier that changed the entire match.

The rest is history, much repeated and celebrated. Amarnath claimed three wickets, as did Madan Lal, while Sandhu had two as West Indies collapsed for 140 in 52 overs.

India were champions. That day began what has been a legend, which lives on, and will for as long as sport is played. That was the day when India became viable, and never looked back.

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The West Indies entered the finals as the favoured, having won the previous two world cups in 1975 and 1979. Put to bat first by WI, India had a disappointing start, losing their star batter Sunil Gavaskar for just 2. Afterwards, it was Kris Srikkanth and Mohinder Amarnath who helped India recover from this early hiccup, forming a 57-run stand, which was broken by pacer Malcolm Marshall by dismissing Srikkanth for 38.

Yashpal Sharma and Mohinder Amarnath then carried on, but a well-set Amarnath was dismissed for 26 by pacer Michael Holding. India was 3/90 at that stage. From then onwards, nothing really went right for India as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Sandeep Patil with a 27 tried to keep things steady for India.

Also, Captain Kapil Dev (15), Madan Lal (17) and Syed Kirmani, the wicketkeeper (14) tried their best to support Patil but Windies’ bowling attack overpowered them, ending their knocks prematurely. Kirmani and bowler Balwinder Singh Sandhu (11*) stitched a vital 30-run stand in the end, taking India to 183 in 54.4 overs before all the batters were back in the hut.

Chasing 184, the Windies were not of the most ideal start, losing Gordon Greenidge for just 1 run at the team’s score of five. Sandhu the medium pacer had done the job for India by giving his side some early momentum.

Richards continued to look good, smashing seven majestic boundaries fitting the occasion of the final and a batter of his stature. It looked like he could continue for long and help WI complete a hat-trick of World Cups.

But Lal gave Team India perhaps its biggest breakthrough by dismissing Richards for 33 off 28, with Kapil Dev taking a marvellous running catch. Larry Gomes (5), Captain Clive Llyod (8) and Faoud Bacchus (8) fell quickly, sinking WI to 6/76, on the brink of a humiliating defeat. The trio of Binny-Sandhu and Lal took these wickets.

Afterwards, wicketkeeper-batter Jeff Dujon and Malcolm Marshall tried to stabilise the innings for WI, stitching a stand of 43 runs which was broken by medium pacer Mohinder Amarnath by dismissing Dujon for 25. He also took the wicket of Marshall soon.

With the Windies at 124/8, the rest of their batting could not do much. Kapil Dev and Amarnath delivered two final blows to the Windies, ending their innings at 140.

Iconic Winning Moments Of 1983 ODI World Cup Triumph

Madan Lal (3/31) and Mohinder Amarnath (3/12) delivered in heaps for India at their medium pace. Sandhu also bowled well, taking 2/32. Kapil Dev and Roger Binny also took a wicket each. The day belonged completely to India and its pace attack in particular.

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The legendary cricketer took to social media and went back in time to share the images of India’s historic World Cup win in 1983 that made him dream to become a cricketer.

It was on this day that India did the unthinkable, pulling off a remarkable victory from the jaws of defeat after being bowled out for 183 while batting first against the mighty West Indies team.

West Indies, prior to that had won both the World Cups in 1975 and 1979 and were well on their way to win the third one on a trot. But Kapil Dev’s men had other ideas as the Indian team bowled West Indies out for 140, beating them by 43 runs in the final.

“Some moments in life inspire you & make you dream. On this day in 1983, we won the World Cup for the first time. I knew right then, that’s what I wanted to do too!” wrote Tendulkar on social media.

Some moments in life inspire you & make you dream. On this day in 1983, we won the World Cup 🏆 for the first time. I knew right then, that’s what I wanted to do too!🏏 pic.twitter.com/hp305PHepU

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 25, 2022

Tendulkar made his debut against Pakistan six years later in 1989 and the rest is history.

A career spanning for 24 years, Tendulkar became the closest to Donald Bradman that anybody could ever be, aptly said by legendary commentator and former England captain Tony Greig during Tendulkar’s brilliant knock against Australia in Sharjah in 1998 that helped India to win the tournament.

The little master, as he is famously known retired from international cricket in 2013.

The post Sachin Tendulkar Reveals The Most Inspiring Moment Of His Life That Took Him To Cricket appeared first on Cricket Country.

The actor said that at that time the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was not a lucrative body and they didn’t have funds to felicitate the players.

“She (Lata Mangeshkar) was very fond of cricket. In 1983, when we won the World Cup, she raised funds with her brother (Hridaynath Mangeshkar). They raised Rs. 20 lakh for the Indian cricket team and they got Rs. one lakh lakh each,” Tagore told Aaj Tak on Sunday.

“At that time, BCCI didn’t have that much money. Even for Goa, with Sudhir Phadke saab (who was involved in Goa Freedom Movement), they did a concert for Goa Liberation and she contributed to that also,” added Tagore.

Lata Mangeshkar was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai after she had tested COVID-19 positive on January 8. She was undergoing treatment there and breathed her last on February 6.

A member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, Kirti Azad, fondly recollected his association with the great singer, posting a black-and-white image of the side with Lata Mangeshkar standing just behind the trophy at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi flanked by captain Kapil Dev and Mohinder Amarnath.

Azad wrote, “Lata Didi we will miss you. The entire victorious World Cup team of 83 will never forget your contribution to the team. Your Lata Mangeshkar night at Indraprastha Stadium, now IGI stadium, Delhi to collect funds for the team. #LataMangeshkar. We are indebted to you for life.”

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly expressed his amazement at how Lata Mangeshkar’s voice never seemed to grow old and jaded in his tweet mourning the passing of the Nightingale.

Ganguly tweeted: “RIP … Bharat Ratna … A very sad day for all Indians … when u speak of talent she was one of the greatest and rarest the country has seen … hard to believe that 20 yr lady is no more … well her voice sounded like that every time… lots of respect and love… be in peace wherever u are.”

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Poetic justice, if we may call it but Kapil Dev and his men quite deservingly have got paid a hefty sum for giving the nod of making a movie out of their World Cup-winning campaign. The captain of the team, Kapil Dev has reportedly been paid 5 crore for the movie with the rest of the team getting 10 crore for the film.

FROM THE Archives| Directed by Kabir Khan, the movie -1983-is based on Indian cricket team’s World Cup victory in 1983. We bring you real 1983 team meeting then Prez of India Giani Zail Singh at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Courtesy: @RBArchive #83TheFilm #Thisis83 #India #KapilDev pic.twitter.com/wStSvDe71c

24×7 Live India (@24x7Live_India) December 24, 2021

Kapil Dev drinking from a bottle of milk after winning the 1983 World Cup has to be one of the most iconic celebrations in international sports. #KapilDev @ICC pic.twitter.com/apvDPJ1PzF

Amrit Raj (@AmritRaj86) December 24, 2021

On 25th June 1983, #India lifted its first-ever #ICCWorldCup title under the captaincy of Kapil Dev. Know about #KapilDev Biography: Birth, Age, Career, Records, Awards, Books and More here!!https://t.co/lN83ETnCZJ pic.twitter.com/vkeZpewOQg

Krishna Chandra (@Krishna32268500) December 24, 2021

While the Indian team received 2100 for the final in 1983, it has been learnt that for the rest of the matches the team only received 1500 as match fees and 600 as daily allowance. It was only after legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar arranged a concert for the World Cup-winning team, that the players got some kind of financial benefit for becoming the Champions of the World.

The duration of the movie is 2 hours and 32 minutes and it has all the making to be an absolute blockbuster. The lead character in the film is being played by Ranveer Singh who will be playing the role of Kapil Dev on screen.

The post Here’s How Much Kapil Dev and His 1983 World Cup Winning Team Charge for Ranveer Singh’s Movie ’83’ appeared first on Cricket Country.

In the video, Kapil recalls his experience of winning the World Cup in 1983.

He was heard saying in Hindi: “India ke liye khelna ek sapna tha and a bigger dream was to become the Captain of the National team. And I had never imagined lifting the World Cup on the balcony of Lord’s!”

The clip was captioned: “The Haryana Hurricane, @therealkapildev Sir, invites us all to experience the historic saga unfold! 2 Days To 83. #ThisIs83 83 IN CINEMAS ON 24TH DEC, 2021. Releasing in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. Also in 3D.”

’83’ highlights India winning the 1983 World Cup under the leadership of Kapil Dev, played by Ranveer Singh.

The film is all set to release theatrically worldwide on December 23.

The post Kapil Dev Recalls His Experience of Lifting The World Cup in 1983 appeared first on Cricket Country.

‘I still can’t believe it is true,’ Kapil Dev told ABP News. ‘We met only last week. We cannot fight with the will of God. After the news of his death, I am finding it difficult to handle myself emotionally.’ added the former India World Cup-winning captain before breaking down.

Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar expressed shock at his teammate’s demise. The 1983 squad had met on the sidelines of a book launch here a couple of weeks ago.

“It is unbelievable. He was the fittest among all of us. I had asked him that day when we met how about his routine. He was a vegetarian, teetotaller, used to have soup for his dinner and very particular about his morning walks. I am just shocked,” Vengsarkar told PTI.

“As a player, he was a proper team man and a fighter. I fondly remember the 1979 Test against Pakistan in Delhi. We both had a partnership that helped us save the game. I knew him since my university days. Still can’t believe it,” he added.

“He told me that day we met that I had lost weight. We had a great reunion. I remember the very first game in the 1983 World Cup playing the mighty West Indies with those fast bowlers, he set the agenda and we won that game,” said former teammate Kirti Azad.

“He was again fantastic in the semifinal hitting Bob Willis for a six. Nowadays people say (Ravindra) Jadeja hits stumps regularly but so did Yashpal. He was a livewire on the field and would hit stumps all the time,” he recalled.

Yashpal Sharma was 66 and is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

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Vengsarkar recalled that Yashpal Sharma looked the fittest of the lot and also revealed that he is having soup in dinner and has also cut out on rice. The former Indian captain added that Yashpal was a fitness freak.

Dilip Vengsarkar said while talking to TOI, “It’s shocking, just unbelievable. I just met him in Gurgaon at an event to celebrate the anniversary of our World Cup triumph. He looked the fittest of the lot. I thought he would live for 100 years! He was a strict vegetarian, and never used to drink or smoke. He told me that he was only having soup for dinner these days, and had cut down on rice. He was a tee-totaller. He had a controlled diet. He was a strong guy, basically a fitness freak”.

“When we used to tour England, a lot of his friends and fans there used to get vegetarian Dabba (tiffin) for him, because vegetarian food was scarcely available those days in England”.

Former Indian pacer Balwinder Singh Sandhu also revealed that he was room-mate with Yashpal Sharma during the 1983 World Cup.

“He was my roommate during the entire World Cup (in England). We used to call each other Roomie. We have so many memories, we hadd a good time together”.

On the other hand, India’s former head coach Sandeep Patil feels Yashpal didn’t get enough credit for his role in the 1983 World Cup. Sharma scored 89 runs in the opening match against West Indies whereas he also scored 61 runs in the semifinal against hosts, England.

Sandeep said, “I always believe that he didn’t get the kind of credit by the media that he deserved for his role in India’s World Cup victory. He had contributed in all the departments of the game in that tournament. He scored runs and fielded well, effecting run-outs and taking good catches. He used to smash the ball a long way – we used to call it the badam shot. I had named it the badam shot because he used to eat a lot of badams (almonds). He was a very strongly built guy. He played his role to perfection in that tournament. He was all the time fired up about doing something special in the World Cup”.

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