As World Cup Nears, A Shot At 1983 Memorabilia For Fans

Kapil’s Devils honoured with a collection of medallions

Updated on: 21 September 2023 2:06 pm

1983 World Cup Memorabilia

The 1983 World Cup victory will top most lists of Indian sport’s greatest moments. India’s 2011 World Cup win was thrilling as well, but the surprise element of 1983, at a time when India as a nation had not yet found its confidence, makes the campaign special.

With the 2023 World Cup starting on October 5, commemorative events related to World Cup history have begun. Recently, a collection of 15 gold-plated medallions featuring India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team was launched by Hurdler Australia on the 40th anniversary of the triumph. (More Cricket News)

Each set costs Rs 69,000 and contains the medallions, along with a gold-embossed scorecard of the 1983 final, in which India upset defending champions West Indies. The scoreboard has autographs of the Indian players.

Kapil Dev, the captain of the 1983 team, and whose inspirational form throughout the tournament was key to India’s win, was touched by the collection. “This brings memories back to the day India won the World Cup in 1983,” he said.

Dev bore the responsibility of being India’s strike bowler from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. After his retirement, India’s spin attack, led by leg-spinner Anil Kumble, was tasked with bowling out opposition. Dev is therefore pleased that India now boasts a pace arsenal that can run through a side, as it did against Sri Lanka in the recent Asia Cup final. Mohammed Siraj took six wickets, and the rest were also cleaned up by the fast bowlers.

"It is wonderful to see Siraj bowl. I feel so happy that nowadays our fast bowlers are taking all 10 wickets in all conditions. That's the cherry on the cake," Dev said a few days ago during the launch of the J&K Open golf tournament, to be held at the Jammu Tawi Golf Course from October 4 to 7. "There was a time when we used to depend on spinners, but not anymore. That's why the strength of the team is so good.”

Dev expressed confidence that India would reach the top four in the World Cup, and thereafter luck would come into play. "I think we can make the top four. That is more important, and then it will be about luck," the 1983 captain said.