The course of Indian cricket was changed by the epochal triumph of India in 1983. Kapil Dev became a popular name in every household. It seems Kapil was born to resurrect Indian cricket.
Sachin was eloquent about his experiences of that magnificent victory. He was a boy of ten years then.
"Winning the World Cup in 1983, against heavy odds, was a huge achievement; perhaps the greatest in the history of Indian cricket! The significance of that win is that it changed the course of Indian cricket forever."
"There were unbelievable scenes in my building and the neighbourhood on that historic night when India won the World Cup. People were dancing on the streets and bursting firecrackers everywhere.
"As a 10-year-old who knew very little about the game, I got immersed in the mood and enjoyed the victory with my friends till the early hours of the morning. Looking back, like me, I am sure there are millions of other Indians whose success stories have revolved round that one great performance," says the wonder batsman.
The 1983 win gave the Indians immense confidence. Gone was the inferiority complex which lurked within. Prior to 1971 when Gavaskar entered the arena, most of the Indian players were simply extolling West Indian, Australian and English talent. ('O what a ball Hall or Gilchrist bowled'). After the entry of Gavaskar, who proved that records can be broken by Will Power and determination, self respect crept into the Indian psyche. Gavaskar, in the 1971 Windies tour, scored 774 runs in five Tests, which announced his class !
"Our lives changed after 1983", said Kapil."We got love and affection from everywhere". He advised Dhoni to "change your lives similarly and also the lives of more than one billion".
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