On the 25th of June 1983, a very unfancied Indian team managed to upset the odds, as they beat the reigning champions West Indies to win their first ever World Cup. The moment not only changed Indian cricket, but also changed the global game forever.
India’s triumph helped break the sense of invincibility which was attached with the West Indies teams of the era, giving the belief to all other nations to compete against the very best. The win made cricket popular amongst a billion more people, with the likes of Kapil Dev, Mohinder Amarnath, Madan Lal becoming household heroes overnight.
Today as the nation celebrates the 36th anniversary of that glorious evening in London, several prominent figures shared their fond memories as well as paid their tributes to Kapil Dev and his team for forever changing the face of Indian cricket.
The day that started it all. Landmark moment in the history of Indian sports. 25th June, 1983 -the day we were World Champions the first time.
Kapil Paaji's valiant contributions, everyone contributing in their own way, but I think so much of Jimmy Paa, the MOM in semis & finals— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
- In 1983, India won the Cricket World Cup at Lord's, London
— The Viral Fever (@TheViralFever)
June 25, 1975: Emergency
June 25, 1983: World Cup win
June 25, 1992: SRK's first releaseSo much of modern India has been shaped by this day.
— Sohini (@Mittermaniac)
Reliving India's Tryst with Cricketing Glory: Today in 1983, Kapil Dev and his India side made history, as they won the ICC Cricket World Cup for the first time
— Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive)
Lord's stadium after india won the world cup in 1983
— vikram chauhan (@vikramjpiet)
25th June, a very significant day in Indian cricket history - India's first ever Test match in 1932 and also the day we won our first ever World Cup title in 1983, and the face of Indian cricket changed with this victory.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
On this day 1983.... The moment that changed the path & glory of Indian Cricket forever.
Hoping to see it repeating after 19 days ...— Harshit Baxi (@harshit_baxi)
The day India felt super proud as a cricketing nation! Thank you to the likes of paji and his great team for setting it up for us.
#1983
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh)
The day that no Indian will never forget. The way the leader Kapil Dev lead the team is impeccable. Inspiration to billions like me to play for the Nation. 1983 World Cup is & always will be special.
— VenuGopala Rao (@IMVenuGopalRao)
25th June, 1983
Kapil Dev ran behind and took a sensational catch to dismiss Sir Viv Richards which led India to lift their first ever World Cup.
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman)
Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @SunRisers
