1983 World Cup Final: Gundappa Viswanath Was A Master Of Square Drive - Kris Srikkanth

Published - 25 Jun 2023, 05:23 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM

Kris Srikkanth. Pic Credits: Twitter.

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The 1983 World Cup triumph is considered to be the finest achievement of the Indian Cricket Team. Kris Srikkant recalled some interesting incidents of the team. Kris Srikanth stated how the side won the championship against all odds.

Kapil Dev played a role and marshalled troops smartly and his leadership was second to none as defeating the dangerous Caribbean side was a tough task to attain as the Caribbean side had ‘n’ match winners present in the side.

India didn’t panic even when they had a below-par total of 184 to defend. The wicket was quite competitive. The Kapil Dev side hunted in a pack as they never allow any partnership to get bigger.

Also Read: That Knock Of 175 By Kapil Dev Still Remains The Greatest ODI Century – Sunil Gavaskar Touches Down On His Memories From The 1983 World Cup

The World Cup was basically a stop-over – Kris Srikkanth

Kris Srikkanth was having an interaction with the Times of India and stated how he had to cut his honeymoon period short due to the marquee ODI WC 1983 and pointed out that due to the triumph, the honeymoon was cancelled and the team came to India after the win

“You know, I had to cut short my honeymoon because of the World Cup win. I told my wife before that the first part of the honeymoon would be in England, and the second in America,” said Kris Srikkanth.

“The World Cup was basically a stop-over. In fact, my tickets for America were booked for after the league stage. Finally, it had to be cancelled and we came back to India after the win.” he added.

Also Read: “Kapil Dev Needs To Be Celebrated More Than He Is” – Venkatesh Prasad On 40th Anniversary Of India’s 1983 World Cup Win

You haven’t watched the best ODI innings ever played by Kapil Dev at Tunbridge Wells – Kris Srikkanth

Kris Srikkanth recalled an interesting incident featuring him and Kapil Dev. Kris Srikkanth pointed out that their first game against West Indies changed the view of the team members as many players weren’t keen to win the tournament. Srikkanth was quite dejected that the spectators couldn’t watch the iconic innings played by Kapil Dev against Zimbabwe.

“Such was the lack of belief going in that when captain Kapil Dev said before our first match that we have come here to win, I said ‘kya pagal captain hain’. But all that started changing after our first game when we beat West Indies,” he remarked.

Also Read: “It Helped Indian Cricket Turn Into Something Fundamentally Different And World Cricket, Too” – Clive Lloyd On India’s Win In 1983 Final

“There was no live telecast of that game. It’s a pity you guys haven’t seen that game, just as you haven’t watched the best ODI innings ever played by Kapil Dev at Tunbridge Wells against Zimbabwe,” he stated.

“It was a bitterly cold day. Our manager Man Singh wouldn’t allow us to move an inch from our positions in the dressing room. Vishy (Gundappa Viswanath) was not in the team, but he was invited for the final and he was there in the dressing room. He was a master of that shot and the moment I hit that boundary, I tried finding him,” he added.

Also Read: “Yashpal Sharma Was The Unsung Hero Of 1983 World Cup” – Balwinder Singh Sandhu

It was slightly immature of me in the way I got out on the last ball of Malcolm Marshall’s spell – Kris Srikkanth

Kris Srikkanth revealed how Mohinder Amarnath guided him during the final against West Indies. Kris Srikkanth had played an effective knock of 38 runs and was slightly disappointed to not make the most of the start.

“Jimmy who told me to play my natural game and that’s what gave me the confidence. It seems surreal when I look back at the scorecard now and realize that it was the highest score. But you know, it was slightly immature of me in the way I got out the last ball of Malcolm Marshall’s spell. If I had survived there were spinners to follow and I could have cashed in,” said Kris Srikkanth.

“There have been many ups and downs, but the win gave India the belief that anything is possible in life an unmatched sensation,” he added.

Also Read: “One Of The Defining Moments That Changed Indian Cricket And My Life” – Sachin Tendulkar On India’s 1983 World Cup Win

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India National Cricket Team Kris Srikkanth Mohinder Amarnath