When India started their World Cup campaign, they were ranked even below Zimbabwe. Very few people expected them to even reach the group stage, let alone winning the cup. It was on this very day, in the year 1983, that the Indian Cricket team defied all odds, to become champions.
Here is a look at the members of the famous World Cup winning team and what keeps them busy now.
1. Kapil Dev
Today, he is a successful businessman and commentator. He runs a company called the Dev Musco Lighting that installs floodlights in major stadiums and sports venues in India.
Kapil Dev was the captain of the world cup winning squad. Post retirement, Kapil’s life has been quite busy. He has even served as the coach of the national team for a brief period.He also owns the Kapil’s Eleven restaurants in Chandigarh and Patna and the Kaptain’s Retreat Hotel in Chandigarh. Kapil also works as a and is mainly associated with Hindi commentary.
He also owns the Kapil’s Eleven restaurants in Chandigarh and Patna and the Kaptain’s Retreat Hotel in Chandigarh.
2. Sunil Gavaskar
Today, Gavaskar is one of the premier Indian commentators.
Gavaskar was one of the finest batsmen of his generation. Though he had a relatively quite world cup yet his experience was valuable to the team.
Just like Kapil, Gavaskar too, has been quite busy even after retirement. Post retirement Gavaskar has also served as the sheriff of Mumbai, Vice-president of the MCA, BCCI president, ICC match referee, Chairman of ICC cricket committee.
3. Ravi Shastri
Shastri has enjoyed tremendous success post-retirement as a commentator. He has also served as the director of the Indian cricket team.
Shastri is often considered as one of the finest all-rounders of his generation. Shastri is one of the few men who have enjoyed success both on-field and off-field. He was one of the favourites for the job of the Indian team coach, which finally went to Kumble.
4. Mohinder Amarnath
The former cricketer currently works as a cricket analyst for various news channels.
Amarnath was the vice-captain of the team and the hero of the final match. Like many of his former teammates, Amarnath too has served as a member of the selection committee.
Like many of his former teammates, Amarnath too has served as a member of the selection committee.
5. Sandeep Patil
Patil now serves as the Chairman of the selection committee.
The aggressive batsman was one of the key members of the world cup winning squad. Post retirement, Patil has also served as the coach of the Kenya team, whom he guided to the semi-finals of the 2003 world cup.
6. Dilip Vengsarkar
Today, he runs three cricket academies, two in Mumbai and one in Pune. These academies give cricket training free of cost to the selected players selected on their skill level.
Vengsarkar was the mainstay of the Indian middle order during the 1983 World Cup.
He has recently launched his own website www.vengsarkar.in. He has also served as the chairman of the selection committee.
7. Krishnamachari Srikkanth
Srikkanth has enjoyed tremendous popularity as a commentator. He now serves as a mentor to the IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The aggressive opening batsman played many valuable knocks throughout the World Cup.
Even after retiring from active sports, Srikkanth has kept himself quite occupied with a number of activities. After retirement, he had a stint as the coach of the India ‘A’ team.
On 27 September 2008, he was appointed the Chief Selector of the Indian Cricket team. His tenure ended in 2012.
8. Roger Binny
Roger Binny is currently serving as an office bearer at the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and is also a member of the selection committee.
Roger Binny was India’s most successful bowler in the World Cup. He took 18 wickets in the tournament. Although, he did have a very successful world cup yet he could not hold on to his form for long.
9. Kiti Azad
He is currently serving his third term in the Lok Sabha.
Azad was an important member of the Indian team that won 1983 World Cup. After retirement from active sports, Azad went on to become a successful politician.
After retirement from active sports, Azad went on to become a successful politician.
10. Madan Lal
He runs a cricket academy in Siri Fort Sports Complex, Delhi and was appointed as chief coach of the Sanjay Jagdale MPCA Academy in 2010.
Another member of the World Cup-winning team Madan Lal has kept himself quite occupied even after retirement. Lal coached the UAE team for 1996 Cricket World Cup and had a stint as India’s national cricket coach between September 1996 and September 1997.
He was a member of the Selection Committee from 2000 and 2001. He joined and served as the coach of the Delhi Giants in the Indian Cricket League till it became defunct.
11. Syed Kirmani
He was the vice-president of KSCA and also the chairman of the national selection committee. Today, he can be seen on various news channels featuring as a cricket analyst.
Syed Kirmani was India’s first-choice wicketkeeper throughout the tournament. He was often considered as India’s finest wicketkeeper. Post-retirement, he was appointed their Public Relations Manager.
Post-retirement, he was appointed their Public Relations Manager. He has been seen in a few movies too.
12. Balwinder Sandhu
After retirement, he served as the coach of Mumbai and Punjab and also worked with the National Cricket Academy. Today, he lives a peaceful life at his home in Mumbai.
Balwinder Sandhu will always be remembered by fans for dismissing the great Gorden Greenidge and paving the way for the historic triumph. Unfortunately, he did not have much success thereafter.
He was associated with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) for some time.
13. Yaspal Sharma
After he retired from the game, he became an umpire for a time and has served as a selector for the Indian national team.
Yaspal Sharma played some of the memorable innings in the World Cup. In the opening match, he top scored with 89 as India caused West Indies their first defeat in a world cup match. In the semifinal against England, he again tops scored with 61 – a flick over square leg for six off a near yorker from Bob Willis being a memorable shot.
14. Sunil Valson
Today, Sunil is associated with the Indian Premier League outfit Delhi Daredevils. He is pioneering grassroots level camps across the city and is considered as one of the top private sports administrators in the country.
Sunil Valson was more of a squad member of the Indian Cricket team during the 1983 World Cup. The pacer is the only cricketer in World Cup history to lift the trophy without playing a single game.
No matter wherever they are and whatever they do, for lakhs of Indians they would always remain as the heroes who brought us our first World Cup.