BCCI's T20 World Cup Prize Sparks Debate on 1983 Champions' Recognition

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a substantial prize of Rs 125 crore for the victorious Indian team that clinched the T20 World Cup title. However, this announcement has sparked a debate about the recognition and rewards given to the 1983 World Cup-winning squad, which brought immense pride and glory to the nation.

In the 1983 World Cup final, India, under the captaincy of Kapil Dev, achieved a remarkable upset by defeating the formidable West Indies, who were the two-time defending champions, by a margin of 43 runs. The Indian team put up a total of 183 runs in their allotted 60 overs. In response, the Indian bowlers showcased exceptional skill and determination in defending the target. Madan Lal and Mohinder Amarnath were the standout performers, taking three wickets each, as they successfully bowled out the powerful West Indian side for a mere 140 runs.

This momentous victory not only crowned India as the champions but also marked their emergence as a force to be reckoned with in international cricket. The triumph served as a turning point, signaling India's arrival on the global cricketing stage and paving the way for future successes.

However, a former Indian cricketer, who was a member of the historic 1983 World Cup-winning squad, has urged the BCCI to also recognize and reward the team led by Kapil Dev. He highlighted the contrast between the current Indian team, captained by Rohit Sharma, and the victorious 1983 squad. He revealed that the 1983 champions were not given any financial rewards at the time, as the BCCI claimed they "don't have money." However, he acknowledged that the board is now in a position to announce prize money, given their current financial standing.

"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 board (BCCI) had said 'we don't have money'. Now they can give, what is stopping them? Only a few players (of that team) are getting work, rest are struggling. BCCI should look into it," a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning Indian team told IANS on condition of anonymity.

As a reward for their remarkable achievement, the BCCI presented each player with a modest cash prize of Rs 25,000. Upon learning about the relatively low amount given to the players, the renowned singer, the late Lata Mangeshkar, took it upon herself to honor the team's success. She organized a musical concert in Delhi with the purpose of raising funds for the World Cup-winning squad. Through her efforts, she awarded Rs 1 lakh to each player in the team.

The BCCI's decision to award a substantial prize to the T20 World Cup-winning team has reignited the debate about the recognition and rewards given to the 1983 World Cup-winning squad. Many believe that the BCCI should also recognize and reward the team that brought immense pride and glory to the nation.

Tags: #Cricket, #BCCI, #WorldCup, #1983WorldCup, #KapilDev