The `1983 World Cup Indian cricket team not only created history but also set a benchmark for future cricketers of the game. Being the underdogs of the tournament having won just 1 WC match, against East Africa, India had no hopes of reaching further than group stages. But that all was about to change with Kapil and Co.
In a detailed chat with sports journalist, columnist, author and writer Ayaz Memon, RadioCity`s RJ Salil delves into the nitty-gritties of the golden era of Indian cricket and mainly, the 1983 World Cup as it was.
One of the game changers was the 1983 World Cup where Team India was looked at as world beaters.83 was a huge reflection point. The first independent Test series for India was led by Vinoo Mankad against Don Bradman`s `invincible` Aussies. Vijay Hazare went on to score two hundreds in a Test at Adelaide. Virat Kohli went on to replicate the same feat after 70 years at the same ground.
Vinoo Mankad, Vijay Hazare, Lala Amarnath were all the great players of that time. But the era of the fifties, the first Test match that India won was courtesy – Vinoo Mankad. He was also the hero in the first win against Pakistan as well as involved in the highest partnership at the time (413).When asked about the importance of the 1983 WC for Indians and especially for journalism, Ayaz Memon said, “This tournament was very important for me personally. During that time I was pursuing law and had also got an opportunity to write for a sports journal. After I saw the `83 tournament, I decided to quit law and pursue sports journalism. This was a career-defining series for me.”
“The speciality of 83 was team spirit and chemistry. There was a perfect balance in the team. Many of the all-rounders – Madan Lal, Mohinder Amarnath, Roger Binny. These cricketers had rich experience in league cricket as they were familiar with the overseas conditions. Other great players like Gavaskar who was out of form but added value. Against England in the semis, he scored 25 important runs to keep the pressure on the opposition, which was vital. We had a monumental performer in Kapil Dev who helped redefine international cricket on a certain level,” he added.
“Journalists would have to pay for their on airfare. The media and the Indian team shared a friendly and informal relationship back then.”
Ayaz continued, “The first match for India was against West Indies at Old Trafford and I skipped it as I could not afford the train fare. I instead went to watch the England v New Zealand game. The reason for that was my obsession with this young player called Martin Crowe. I preferred to catch this game that watch India get thrashed. Martin scored around 80 so I was delighted but also heard that India put Windies in a tough spot. That was a lesson for me as a journalist – don`t take your eyes of the ball. Post that, I did not miss a single ball of India`s match.”
When asked his thoughts about the binding factor in Team India then, Ayaz replied, Mohinder Amarnath played a bigger role as Kapil was a young captain. He was just appointed as skipper and the dressing room dynamics do change. Mohinder understood the in-out of Indian cricket and was composed. Other players who kept up the team spirit and were pranksters too – Sandeep Patil, Kirti Azad, Kris Srikkanth, Syed Kirmani – these guys would keep the dressing room atmosphere light needless if you do well or not.
Next up was India vs Zimbabwe.
Upon reaching the dressing room when India were about 11/4, Ayaz bumped into the experienced Gundappa Viswanath, upon asking the state of the match replied with `Everything`s fine.` Kapil Dev then began piling on runs to avert a one-sided affair.
The crowd mostly consisted of senior citizens and pensioners with fewer youngsters; more of the club members attended the game. Kapil Dev went on to score 175 out of a total of 265.
Ayaz Memon was one of the very few journalists to watch this historic innings live.
“In my opinion, it is the greatest ODI innings ever played. Many Indians have hit double centuries, but Kapil`s 175 is even greater than Viv Richards 189 for me as it came with a baggage of 17/5 and Kapil being a middle-order batsman and captain.”
Post that match, India got a grip on the World Cup and went on to win the World Cup which turned the cricket world `upside down.`
After India lifted the 1983 World Cup, Ayaz recalls Clive Lloyd and Desmond Haynes visiting the prudential tent, where he was as well. No other Windies cricketer attended, needless to say, why.
Kapil Dev and Co`s historic World Cup title triumph was made into a Bollywood biopic directed by Kabir Khan which released on Dec 24, 2021, and starred Ranveer Singh in the lead role as Kapil Dev. The movie went on to be a huge success critically and commercially.
