Just consider this: Branded a bunch of no-hopers Kapil Dev's Indians beat the Aussies to make the semi-final, beat the Englishmen to make the final, beat the West Indians to MAKE HISTORY... SPORTSTAR salutes the heroes...
Watching the action from the dressing room, Sunil Valson was a part of the scheme of things in his own right, making valuable suggestions at team meetings. Even the players banked on his inputs.
Talking of India’s World Cup win, Shastri says it changed the face of Indian cricket.
Syed Kirmani was India’s wicketkeeper when the team stumped the cricket world in the 1983 World Cup.
"The World Cup triumph triggered a fresh wave of enthusiasm and interest in the young cricketers," says Dilip Vengsarkar in a chat with Sportstar.
India displayed self-belief and it attacked. The side also had the right mix of cricketers. It had men who could inspire and men who could play the percentages. Heroes emerged and a nation celebrated, writes S. Dinakar.
Under Kapil Dev "they have got a team spirit I cannot remember in other Indian sides", Sir Len Hutton, former England captain said.
THE setting was ideal — the lush green lawns of the Hyderabad House, with the historic India Gate forming the backdrop. The mood was informal: the occasion one to cherish for long. At least for Kapil Dev and his gallant bunch of cricketers.
The day when the victorious World Cup skipper reached his home city, Chandigarh, SPORTSTAR met him at his residence. Kapil looked to be in a trance, for the spate of receptions he had attended (at Bombay and Delhi) had left him exhausted. "I still can't believe it," he said repeatedly. Excerpts from the interview: