Unheard facts about the 1983 World Cup winning Indian team

The 1983 World Cup was just the third edition of the tournament and the Indian cricket team had stamped their authority in world cricket by winning the coveted trophy. 28 years later, the MS Dhoni brigade repeated history, as Captain Cool launched the winning six into the Wankhede stands. That was 10 years ago, and we pretty much know everything there is to know about that tournament. However, back when the information was not so easily available in 1983, there were a few stories that went unheard.

India created history by beating West Indies in the final but their achievement was a miracle, considering the state they were in. Before the World Cup began, popular cricket historian David Edward Frith had said that a team like India should not be playing this prestigious tournament. But when India stunned the cricketing fraternity with their historic win, even Frith had to swallow his own words.

Here are 10 surprising, interesting and unheard facts about the Indian team that won the 1983 World Cup:

1. When the Indian team was leaving for England to play the World Cup, they were without a coach, doctor and even a physiotherapist

2. Air India, India’s premier airline, had billed the Indian cricket board separately to carry the cricketers’ luggage

3. Only one BCCI official named PR Maan Singh was associated with the Indian team as the manager during the World Cup

4. In the absence of a designated coach, it was Mohinder Amarnath who shouldered the responsibilities. Along with Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar, he decided the batting and bowling order of the team.

5. Then captain Kapil Dev scored a brilliant 175 against Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, the match wasn’t recorded by the BBC and there is no footage available of that glorious knock.

6. Talking about the betting going into the World Cup finale, India’s odds were placed at 66:1. Tells you a lot about the dominant position India were in during the tournament.

7. Mohinder Amarnath, who was adjudged Man of the match, was awarded 600 pounds as cash prize

8. During those days, a player was paid around Rs.12,500 for every match. But after the World Cup win, the BCCI announced a prize of Rs.2 lakh for the entire team. However, Sunil Gavaskar refused to accept the money.

9. When the news of India’s victory reached veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar, she organised a music concert for the Indian cricket team. The money received from this concert was then distributed among the 14 Indian players, with each player getting Rs.1 lakh.

10. When the Indian team returned to their homeland, they received a warm and happy welcome from cricket fans in the country. The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and President Giani Zail Singh congratulated the whole team for the victory.