The latest edition of the world cup is around the corner and as always, a world cup takes me down memory lane. The Indian fans went into the match with a prayer and not any realistic anticipation of victory. The West Indies in the 1980s were a very strong side, arguably one of the greatest of all time. They had the most menacing attack in cricket history. Their fierce fast bowlers were known as The Four Horsemen Of Death.
There's a cliche about the uncertainty that sports present. You don’t expect Michael Phelps to be beaten, or Djokovic to lose to a player who is ranked in the lowly 100s, Barcelona to lose to a Kolkata club. Some things are not meant to be. In the face of these odds, India, a team that had previously only won against East Africa and not much else, achieved the unthinkable. Kapil Dev lifted the cup that day, the West Indies were shell-shocked, and the rest of us just soaked in the joy of the victory.
The highlights may seem meaningless, but the drama can't be understated with each little shot and wicket. Srikkanth wielded his bat like a sword to hook a six off Andy Roberts; Syed Kirmani diving full length to take a stunning catch; Sandeep Patil lofted Larry Gomes into a West Indian supporter's stand; above all of those, Kapil Dev running like he was at the Haryana marathon and then erupting into the wildest smile one can imagine after dismissing Sir Vivian Richard, who was batting with an authoritative air, almost as if he owned the ground and the World Cup.
25th June, 1983 changed Indian cricket forever. Cricket provided the magical moment of hope in times of despair. It inspired many youngsters to take up the sport and India is today a cricketing powerhouse. Recent success in the Olympics also proves that we have the capability to excel in other sports as well. Every young Indian needs to take up at least one sport and excel in it. This will make India a sporting nation and a fit nation.
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