’83 Cup magic
— The summer of 1983 not only transformed the face of Indian cricket but instilled in the minds of its followers the belief that its team can win against the best. The World Cup squad under Kapil Dev which had landed on English shores as rank underdogs went on to script a golden piece of history when it humbled and shocked two-time Cup winners, defending champions and then the most-feared side – the mighty West Indies in the final at Lords to return home as heroes. A relatively low score of 183 proved to be more than enough in the end when Mohinder Amarnath trapped last man Michael Holding in front of the wicket for the maiden title. Given India’s dismal track record in the previous two editions, little did anyone know then that a resourceful team of sedate and aggressive batsmen like Sunil Gavaskar, Krish Srikkanth, Sandeep Patil as well as genuine all-rounders like the captain Kapil himself, Amarnath, Ravi Shastri and Roger Binny would conjure up an unbelievable feat against the formidable favourites. Twenty-five years hence as the country gears up to honour these gentlemen – some of whom are now legends in their own right while some have literally become forgotten entities – and celebrate ‘the greatest triumph till date’, the euphoria may not be as intense as it was then but the legacy continues to inspire the current crop of cricketers and the upcoming talents. While the older generation recalls and relives the magical feat of ‘Kapil’s Devils’ in nostalgia, the next generation has the luxury of a complete team to look up to and emulate.The 1983 Cup triumph set a new trend. The world started respecting and recognising India as a force to reckon with. Another major feat was achieved two years later in Australia when it won the World Championship of Cricket under the able leadership of Sunil Gavaskar, which only bore testimony that the ’83 feat was no fluke but a superlative performance when it mattered. Winning soon became a habit albeit there were inconsistencies to follow later in the decade. Nevertheless, India acquired its rightful status, thanks to the ’83 feat. The bottomline of the famous triumph at the ‘Mecca of Cricket’ was that cricket which already was a game for the masses in the Indian context became a passion – an infectious craze that led people to the stadiums in large numbers while keeping millions glued in front of the television. With over a billion people, India today is a hub of the game which has acquired the status of a flourishing industry. Cricketers are no less than demi gods while the brands they endorse earn the loyalties of the consumer. The concept of T20 cricket and professional leagues like the IPL and ICL have become instant hits. In a way, cricket which has become a money-spinner is invariably playing the catalyst’s role in the Indian economy, thanks largely to its passionate followers who still regard the ’83 feat as the magic mantra behind the game’s elevation to a religion. SourcE: ASSAMTRIBUNE EDITORIAL
