When we started World Cup campaign, we were ranked even below Zimbabwe. Very few people expected them to even reach the group stage, let alone winning the cup.
With the elevation of Sri Lanka to Test status, only one place was available through qualification at the ICC Trophy, held in England in 1982. The newcomers, Zimbabwe, dominated the competition, defeating Bermuda in the final. There was a change of format, with again two groups of four, but this time they played each other twice each, thus doubling the number of matches played. The West Indies, still with Greenidge, Haynes, Richards, and Lloyd at the top of the order, and Marshall, Roberts, Garner and Holding forming a strong pace attack, were hot favorites.
Semifinals:
England were heavy favorites in the first semi-final, but the experienced England line-up was incapable of scoring quick runs against steady medium-paced bowling and inspired fielding. 33 was the top score of an innings of 216, with Amarnath bowling his 12 overs for 27 runs and two wickets, and Kapil Dev mopping up the tail. Amarnath was run out for 46, and fifties for Yashpal Sharma and Patil saw India to their first World Cup final. The other semi-final was also one-sided, with Pakistan, put into bat, struggling against Marshall (3/28)and the other West Indies quicks. 188 was far too few runs against Viv Richards, who blasted 80*, supported by Gomes, as West Indies won by 8 wickets.
The final:
Most anticipated a one-sided game, with the Indian team has exceeded expectations to make the final, against a powerful and experienced West Indian team, looking for its third consecutive Cup. All seemed to be progressing predictably when India was all out for only 183, Srikkanth top scoring (33), and Roberts (3/32) the best of the bowlers. When the West Indies batted, Greenidge fell early, and the unheralded Indian medium pacers bowled tight and accurately. Richards hit a composed 33, but when he was out to Madan Lal, India was in with a chance. Dujon and Marshall were both out to Amarnath when looking set, and when Amarnath trapped Holding lbw, India completed an astonishing win.
The Indians in this tournament showed that they had mastered the one-day game, bowling tightly, fielding better than any Indian team in the past, and never giving up. Binny with 18 (still a record for most wickets in a World Cup tournament), and Madan Lal with 17 wickets were their leading bowlers, and Kapil Dev topped the batting averages. Overall Gower, Richards, and Fowler were the most successful batsmen, all with over 350 runs, and averages in the 70s.
Here’s a look at 1983 world cup winning team and where are they now:
Kapil Dev: Today, he is a successful businessman and commentator. He runs a company called the Dev Musco Lighting that installs floodlights in major stadiums and sports venues in India.
Sunil Gavaskar: Today, Gavaskar is one of the premier Indian commentators.
Ravi Shastri: Shastri has enjoyed tremendous success post-retirement as a commentator. He has also served as the director of the Indian cricket team and currently serving as an Indian Coach
Mohinder Amarnath: The former cricketer currently works as a cricket analyst for various news channels.
Sandeep Patil: Post-retirement, Patil has also served as the coach of the Kenya team, whom he guided to the semi-finals of the 2003 world cup.
Dilip Vengsarkar: Today, he runs three cricket academies, two in Mumbai and one in Pune. These academies give cricket training free of cost to the selected players selected on their skill level.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth: Srikkanth has enjoyed tremendous popularity as a commentator. He now serves as a mentor to the IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Roger Binny: Roger Binny is currently serving as an office bearer at the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and is also a member of the selection committee.
Kirti Azad: He is currently serving his third term in the Lok Sabha.
Madan Lal: He runs a cricket academy in Siri Fort Sports Complex, Delhi and was appointed as chief coach of the Sanjay Jagdale MPCA Academy in 2010.
Syed Kirmani: He was the vice-president of KSCA and also the chairman of the national selection committee. Today, he can be seen on various news channels featuring as a cricket analyst.
