1983 World Cup. These three words are enough to give goosebumps to every Indian cricket fan. After all, we have grown up hearing about the intriguing tales of the 1983 triumph.
It has to be the moment that changed Indian cricket forever. It was a moment that inspired a generation to take up the sport. It was a moment that helped India earn respect as a cricket nation across the globe. The joys of that triumph shall never cease to exist. Kapil Dev and co. will always be held in high esteem as they carved their legacy in golden letters in the folklore of Indian cricket.
But have you ever wondered where are those 11 heroes now, who made the whole country proud after beating West Indies in 1983 final? Today, let’s take a look at them in the same order they batted on that historic day:
1. Sunil Gavaskar
Gavaskar might not have had a great 1983 World Cup but there’s absolutely no doubt that his experience must have immensely helped India in the memorable campaign. The 69 years old is doing commentary on TV these days. He also writes columns for print media. The right-hander is also a director at sports management company, Professional Management Group (PMG).
2. K Srikkanth
No one scored more runs than India’s explosive opener, Krishnamachari Srikkanth (38 runs) in the low-scoring 1983 World Cup final. The dashing batsman played some good knocks throughout that World Cup. Srikkanth has been very active post his cricketing days. Be it coaching India “A” or serving as chief India selector or mentoring in IPL, or commentating in TNPL, he has done it all. He also wrote columns during IPL 2018 and is presently running his own business.
3. Mohinder Amarnath
Mohinder Amarnath was the Man-of-the-Match in the final game of 1983 World Cup. He picked up three wickets for 12 runs and also scored a handy 26 with the bat. He was known for scoring runs in toughest of conditions. Amarnath served as a selector for India. These days, he is working as a cricket analyst.
4. Yashpal Sharma
The Punjab-born, Yashpal Sharma was one of the heroes of the 1983 World Cup. He might not have got a big score in the final but he scored a brilliant 61 in the semi-final game against England to help India reach the finals. These days, the 64 years old has donned the hat of a cricket analyst for popular Indian channel, India TV.
5. Sandeep Patil
Patil was also part of the India XI in the final match of the World Cup. He earned a lot of accolades for coaching Kenya to 2003 World-Cup semi-finals. The right-hander also went on to coach Oman cricket team and has also worked as an Indian selector. The Mumbai-born player has also acted in the movie “Kabhi Ajnabi The” besides working as an editor for Marathi sports magazine “Ekach Shatkar.” Nowadays, he is working as a cricket analyst for ABP News.
6. Kapil Dev
The first image that comes to one’s mind when someone talks about the 1983 World Cup is that of a brilliant catch by Kapil Dev running backwards to dismiss the dangerous looking Sir Viv Richards. Many feel the catch by the then India skipper was the turning point of the game. The Haryana Hurricane was significant to India’s win in the World Cup. Nowadays, he is working as a Hindi commentator for Star Sports. Kapil also has few restaurants to his credit.
7. Kirti Azad
Azad was also part of World-Cup winning team. He is outspoken and a well-known political face. The Bihar-born cricketer has followed the footsteps of his father, who was also a politician. His father is an ex-CM of Bihar.
8. Roger Binny
Roger Binny was one of the superstars for India in the World Cup. In fact, he took 18 wickets in the event to emerge as the leading wicket-taker. Presently, he is one of the office-bearers in the Karnataka State Cricket Association.
9. Madan Lal
Madan Lal who took crucial wickets of Desmond Haynes, Sir Viv Richards, and Larry Gomes in the final was an important part of the India side. These days, he is working as a cricket analyst at TV Today Network. Lal is also running his own cricket academy.
10. Syed Kirmani
Syed Kirmani, who hails from Chennai was India’s wicket-keeper. He is considered as one of the best glovemen to have played for India. Kirmani isn’t very visible these days but at times he is seen analyzing the game as an expert.
11. Balwinder Sandhu
The Mumbai-born pacer was the one who drew the first blood on the day of the final against West Indies. He had sent opener, Gordon Greenidge, who was a player of repute in ODIs, back to the hut. He scored 11 runs and took two wickets in the final. Sandhu has gone into the wilderness, these days.