In a surprising turn of events at the 2023 World Cup final on Sunday, India suffered a disheartening defeat at the hands of Australia, shattering the hopes of many who anticipated a triumphant moment akin to the 1983 and 2011 World Cup victories. Despite the team’s impressive form, individual performances, and fervent crowd support, Australia secured their sixth World Cup title with ease.
The final, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium, witnessed the presence of numerous celebrities, including Sachin Tendulkar, a key figure from the 2011 World Cup-winning squad. However, a notable absence was that of Kapil Dev, the captain of the iconic 1983 World Cup-winning team. Reports emerged that Kapil Dev had not received an invitation to the event, leaving the former captain visibly disappointed.
Expressing his disappointment, Kapil Dev revealed, “I wasn’t invited there. They didn’t call me, so I did not go. As simple as that. I wanted the whole ’83 team to be there with me, but I guess due to the fact that it’s such a big event and people are so busy handling responsibilities, sometimes they forget.”
Despite his disappointment, Kapil Dev acknowledged the enormity of the event and suggested that the oversight might be attributed to the busy responsibilities of those involved in organizing such a grand occasion.
There were speculations that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had planned to honor former World Cup-winning captains during the mid-innings break. Kapil Dev, who led India to a historic victory on June 25, 1983, against a formidable West Indies team, expressed his desire for the entire 1983 team to be present during this felicitation.
Reflecting on the historic 1983 final, India, considered massive underdogs, triumphed over the West Indies. Despite being limited to just 183 runs by a formidable West Indies bowling attack, the Indian bowlers rose to the occasion, stopping the opponents 43 runs short of the target.
In contrast, the 2023 World Cup final saw India, riding high on 10 consecutive wins, being outplayed by Australia. Batting first, India struggled to find momentum against a disciplined Australian bowling attack, posting a modest total of 240 runs. Australia’s Travis Head played a pivotal role with a remarkable 137 off 120 balls, leading his team to a convincing six-wicket victory and their sixth men’s World Cup title.
