India has had a steady monopoly in today’s cricket, whether in terms of money or performance. But did you know that if India had not won the World Cup in June 1983, largely regarded as one of the most pivotal moments in Indian cricket history, none of this would have happened?
Because India only gained independence a few years earlier and didn’t have the same potential in cricket as it has now, the 1983 World Cup victory was one of the most memorable and proud moments for the whole country.
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People both outside and inside India had low expectations of the squad as if they already knew that if West Indies were in the finals, they would be dubbed as the de facto winners.
During 1983 World Cup, Team India had no coach, trainer or physio. It was P R Man Singh who handled everything. He did it with style from arranging team’s practice to opponents downfall. The man is finally getting the recognition he deserves for his great contribution to Team India.
Nobody expected India to win so spectacularly, and this victory gives Indians hope for greater objectives in the future. Big wins, on the other hand, provide some great anecdotes that help to make those once-in-a-lifetime occasions even more unforgettable.
Here are some of the unheard but pivotal stories from the 1983 world cup:
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1. During India’s debut match as a World Cup contender in 1983, Kapil Dev urged the squad to give it their all on and off the field. But not excessively.
“Let’s give it our best shot on the field, and enjoy off it. But not to an extent where it brings us and our country a bad name. We have nothing to lose, so let’s invest 100% in this.”
2. No one from India questioned the players whether they were okay following their pre-tournament losses because the expectations were so low. It was supposed that they would be all right.
“Nobody questioned us for losing. There was not even a single person from back home asking if we had eaten lunch, or if everything was fine. We were given a huge luxurious bus with video players and everything and told to go have fun.”
3. It was initially difficult for the crew to get vegetarian meals, so they had to eat biscuits and bread.
“During our first practice match, I faced my first problem as manager. During lunch, I figured some of our players were vegetarians. And, in England, you would not expect any vegetarian food to be served for lunch. So we somehow managed with salad, bread, and biscuits that one time.”
4. Things ultimately worked out because the Indians in England sent food from their homes for the squad. Isn’t it incredible?
“With so many Indians in England, it turned out easy. Gujaratis would sometimes get us churma and all, Punjabis would bring us aloo pooris.”
5. The BBC strike prevented Kapil Dev’s 175-run knock from being filmed, but Man Singh feels it is an excuse.
“BBC were only concerned with Pakistan, England and West Indies matches. All this talk of there being no footage because of their strike is rubbish. They were not interested in an India v Zimbabwe match at all. They just used the strike thing as an excuse.”
6. Cricket has a tendency to make people superstitious, but what can be done about it? The tricks are effective. Similarly, something occurred during the final. Following India’s dismissal of West Indies batsmen, BCCI officials gathered around Man Singh in preparation for an early celebration. However, we stopped taking wickets at that point. A few reserve players were sceptical, and they wished the authorities would go. Which they did, and India was victorious shortly after.
“Some reserve players came to me and said, “Sir, ask these people (BCCI officials) to leave, we are losing”. Now, they were from the board, how could I ask them to go? Anyway, they happened to get up and leave at one point, and you won’t believe me, just then Dujon was bowled, and then Marshall, and very soon – 140 all out!”
7. “I’d be happy to eat my words if India progresses beyond the league stage” PR Man Singh recalled Wisden editor David Frith’s words after India’s triumph. Those were the days of accountability, so Frith followed through on his promises. He swallowed his words.
“After we won, I wrote to him. And he was sporting enough to publish his picture in the magazine with paper in his mouth and a caption – I eat my words.”
Renowned Cricket Writer & Historian David Frith, writer of “Bodyline Autopsy” had quoted that he would “Eat his Words” if India win 1983 World Cup & they were not good enough.
David kept promise & posted a photograph of him with paper in his mouth in Wisden’s Sept 83 Edition! https://t.co/EqkOUUUdoI pic.twitter.com/OtOylaqtUH
— North Stand Gang – Wankhede (@NorthStandGang) June 25, 2020
8. The management also disobeyed a widely held regulation at the time. He permitted married players’ spouses to go to England with them on the same bus.
“We had four players with their wives and I gave them permission to stay in the hotel. I also allowed them to travel in the team bus when going to venues out of London. This was unthinkable then. Good the Board today allows the players to bring their families for some time.”
Other than the last two instances, which were taken from an article published in The Hindu, these tales and statements come from a remarkable interview conducted by Himanish Bhattacharjee for Wisden in 2015.
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