Kris Srikkanth Reveals How Kapil Dev Motivated Players To Defend 183 In 1983 World Cup Final

Former India batsman Kris Srikkanth has revealed how his former captain and teammate Kapil Dev motivated the team during the final of the 1983 World Cup. Not many had given India a chance to progress far in the competition let alone winning it.

However, the Kapil Dev-led side defied all the odds and led the country to its first-ever World Cup. In the final, India were up against the mighty West Indies who were gunning for their third consecutive World Cup. And when India were bowled out for just 183, it looked like they were set for a crushing defeat.

But to everyone’s utter surprise, India bowled out their fancied opponents for just 140 to create history. In a recent interview, Srikkanth recalled the historic win and revealed how skipper Kapil Dev boosted the team’s morale ahead of defending the total.

“With the batting line-up that West Indian had and looking at 183, we thought we had no scope at all,” Srikkanth said on Star Sports 1 Tamil show ‘Winning the Cup – 1983’.

“But Kapil Dev said one thing and he didn’t say we can win but he said – look guys we have got out for 183 and we should give resistance and not give away the match so easily,” he added.

Srikkanth further said that the World Cup win was the turning point for Indian cricket.

“It was the turning point for Indian cricket and for Indians. At a time when cricket was dominated by West Indies, Australia, New Zealand and others, a total underdog Indians became the world champions,” Srikkanth said.

“We did not feel that much pressure. Because favourites were West Indies, they were 1975 & 1979 champions, dominating world cricket, so we thought it was a big deal making it to the finals itself,” he concluded.

India won their second World Cup in 2011 after a long gap of 28 years. In the last two editions, the Men in Blue crashed out at the semifinal stage.

Also Read: Boost For England-West Indies Series As ECB Confirm No Positive Coronavirus

Also Read: “England Safer Than Pakistan”: Michael Holding Feels Pakistan Should Go Ahead With England Tour