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A retired Indian cricketer has raised concerns about the BCCI’s intentions and urged the board to acknowledge the 1983 World Cup-winning team with monetary rewards. This team, captained by Kapil Dev, defied expectations and secured India’s first-ever Cricket World Cup victory.
This triumph marked a pivotal moment in Indian cricket history, sparking widespread enthusiasm for the sport across the nation—a fervor that continues to thrive today.
The 1983 World Cup winner urges BCCI to reward India’s victorious squad.
The member further disclosed that only a handful of players from that squad have secured steady employment, while the majority are facing significant challenges.
“Rs. 125 Crore is huge. Happy for Team India. Well, we were not given cash rewards at that time (after 1983 World Cup victory), because the board had said ‘we don’t have money’. Now they can give, what is stopping them?” a member of 1983 World Cup-winning Indian team said to IANS on the condition of anonymity.
The member further disclosed that only a handful of players from that squad have secured steady employment, while the majority are facing significant challenges.
“Only a few players (of that team) are getting work, rest are struggling. BCCI should look into it,” he added.
Within the 1983 World Cup-winning squad, notable players such as Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar, K Srikkanth, and Kapil Dev have found roles as cricket experts or commentators.
The 1983 World Cup victory was a pivotal moment for Indian cricket.
Following the 1983 World Cup win, cricket’s popularity surged in India, leading to the emergence of world-class players. India co-hosted the 1987 World Cup with Pakistan, marking its transformation into a cricket-loving nation. Subsequent generations saw icons like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, and MS Dhoni, elevating the sport’s status further.
After a 28-year wait, India clinched their second ODI World Cup in 2011 under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, triumphing over Sri Lanka at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. In 2024, India secured the T20 World Cup title by defeating South Africa, prompting the BCCI to announce a substantial INR 125 Crore reward for the team, coaching, and support staff, awarded at a ceremony in Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
