There are many stories and anecdotes about India’s incredible achievement that we have all heard and enjoyed over the years – from absolute underdogs to world champions.
A recent Bollywood movie starring Ranveer Singh Kapil Dev and called on 83, re-wrote Team India’s journey in that edition of the World Cup and how they went on to defeat the mighty West Indies, who had won the previous two editions in 1975 and 1979, to become the champions of the world in the final. .
Famous Mohinder Amarnathwhich was man of the match in the semi-finals v England (46 and 2–27) and the final v West Indies (26 and 3–12). 1983 world cup Earlier this year, the Times of India’s sports podcast Sportscast was a guest, post the release of the film 83 and recounted many wonderful anecdotes about the magical journey that changed the face of Indian cricket forever and passed through generations. Followed the belief that took India to the world. The pinnacle of world cricket.
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Excerpts from a conversation with Mohinder Amarnath on TOI Sportscast:
On India and cricket they were playing before the 1983 World Cup:
“Before 1983 we were playing good cricket, but we were not winning anything at the highest level. People and players probably had this mindset that opponents are always stronger and better and they always look up to them. There’s nothing wrong with appreciating what other talented people are doing, but don’t think you’re not as good as them. What happened in 1983 was that – I feel personally – the preparation for the World Cup was perfect for the Indian team and by then the team was also quite experienced in One Day cricket at the international level and whatever it was for the Indian team. came together. , Mindset is the key. You have to have patience and determination and belief that you can achieve something great – and that’s what happened in 1983.”
The influence of his parents on his dream of playing the World Cup final:
“It was something that every cricketer dreams of – to play in the final of the World Cup. When I was playing, it was my dream to play in the final of the World Cup. Dreams are important. Before the World Cup, I had seen ups and downs inside and outside the team – I experienced everything. I do not forget the good days and neither do I forget the bad days. I think it is very important when you are growing up to remember both the good and the bad days. When we are doing well in life we must remember that the good days won’t last forever – it keeps you grounded. Parents have a great influence on children. Peace comes from mother – keep smiling, don’t stress, keep things simple. My father (Lala Amarnath) had a completely different personality. When I was playing I was like my father – I don’t compromise. I will have the nature of my mother, but the aggression will be that of my father.”
On Malcolm Marshall and his rivalry with Dilip Vengsarkar and Vengsarkar, Marshall was hit by a bouncer in a June 15 encounter against West Indies in the 1983 World Cup:
“Malcolm Marshall was a great bowler. In 1983, Marshall was the best for the West Indies. They were all great bowlers – Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Andy Roberts – but Marshall was a step ahead of him. He was younger, fitter And he was bowling very fast. I have played with many fast bowlers in my life, but Marshall’s spell (June 15, 1983 in India’s league match vs West Indies) was unimaginable. To record the pace in those days Also, whenever Marshall saw Dilip Vengsarkar, it was as if he had an extra spring in his feet. Everything about him – his run-up etc. would all change. Marshall and Vengsarkar – theirs Kafi Pyaar Mohabbat Thi Kafi Saalo Se (Laughs – Marshall and Vengsarkar had an interesting sporting relationship). When you look at a bowler from the non-striker’s end you see a lot of things. I am a very observant person, me Can’t remember anything. And I could tell that that day (when a martial bouncer hit Vengsarkar on the jaw – Vengsarkar had to get 8 stitches and Had to sit out the rest of the match) He was trying harder than usual. He was quick anyway. He will continue his follow-through after bowling a delivery and walk up to Vengsarkar just to look him in the eye. I was on the non-striker’s end when Marshall’s ball hit Vengsarkar’s jaw and Vengsarkar didn’t have time (to react). The ball was so fast that any batsman could have hit it. Vengsarkar was batting well at that time (he retired hurt after scoring 32 off 59 balls). The ball hits him and Marshall continues his follow-through. What usually happens is that when a batsman gets hit, the bowler goes to him to see if all is well, but Marshall didn’t give an ad**n. It was almost as if he wanted to settle a score – to show who is the boss. I still remember Vengsarkar was in pain and he had a piece of flesh at the seam of the ball – it was the seam that hit him and that always cut deep. Marshall takes him off the ball and goes back (to his bowling mark). Other players were around him, but Marshall wanted to show that I’m here to play, I want to show you who I am and I want to be the boss.
On the reactions of West Indies players after their 1983 World Cup final vs India loss:
“They (West Indies players) were very disappointed (after India’s loss in the final). We were fielding and we went straight to our dressing room. They never expected India to lose, they never thought we (Team India) were good enough in one-day cricket – that was their mindset. They could not accept the fact that they lost to us in the final of the World Cup. that match also played here lordsIn front of a full house. All West Indies fans were 100% sure (that their team would win). Even before the match started, he felt that the final was just a formality. We went in with a different mindset. We never planned too many things, we left things to individuals – we knew everyone knew their job well. Sometimes it helps too. West Indies players were quite disappointed. I remember going into his dressing room when we celebrated the win and the entire West Indies team was in tears – you could see his red eyes, really. I was always very friendly with all of them and they were good with me even after the finals. One could see that everything was ready in his dressing room to celebrate the World Cup victory – champagne bottles were ready for him to open. After a while some, if not all, of them came into our dressing room and brought a few bottles of champagne – they had the spirit of a good player – that the better team won that day. But one can tell from his face and gesture that he did not expect that something like this (loss to India in the World Cup final) would be possible. Along with completing a possible hat-trick (West Indies won the 1975 and 1979 World Cups), everyone was expecting him to win the 1983 title.
On the mindset that matters:
“When you played with a team like West Indies in those days – they had great fast bowlers, great batsmen, but my mindset was very simple – that you have to play with the ball, not the big names. They had four great fast bowlers, but only one would bowl at any given time, not all four at once. A lot of people ask – what did you think when you actually played fast bowlers? – I would say – nothing to think about – you just focus on playing the ball and forget everything else.”
On India’s preparation for the 1983 World Cup:
We were playing some cricket in England as well. After the West Indies tour, there was a gap of about a month in the start of the World Cup. we all gathered London, About 7 or 8 of us had gone from India and the rest were there (in England) and were asked to assemble in London. We were underdogs, nobody expected anything from us. But as a team our preparation for the World Cup was fantastic and you don’t feel any pressure when nobody has any expectations from you. That team was also not used to feeling any pressure, we just won for the day – think of the present. Yesterday was gone and we didn’t think about tomorrow because no one knew what was going to happen. It also helped, we were all very relaxed, but as soon as we crossed the boundary rope and stepped onto the ground, the commitment was over 100% from everyone. You are bound to have ups and downs in a tournament like this. Credit should also be given to the selectors – they picked the right combination. One of the reasons for this was that many of the selectors at that time had played for India and played in England, so they had experienced the conditions themselves – like Bishan Singh Bedi, Chandu Borde and others. So he understood the circumstances etc very well.”
You can listen to the full episode of TOI Sportscast with Mohinder Amarnath Here,