‘What's Stopping Them Now: 1983 World Cup-winner Demands Cash Reward for Kapil Dev-led side - Report

The BCCI rewarded Rohit Sharma’s Team India with prize money worth INR 125 crore for the T20 World Cup victory in the Caribbean. The triumph ended India’s decade-long drought for an ICC title as the men in blue last won the 2013 Champions Trophy under the leadership of MS Dhoni.

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Days after the prize money was given to the current Indian team, it has been learned that a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team has asked the board to announce a cash reward for the Kapil Dev-led side as well.

As reported by news agency IANS, a member of the 83’s Indian team said the 1983 title-winning team was not given any reward at that time as BCCI told them they ‘didn’t have money’ but the board can now announce prize money.

“Rs 125 crore is huge. Happy for Team India. Well, we were not given cash rewards at that time (after the 1983 World Cup victory), because the 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 was quoted as saying by the agency.

Under the leadership of Kapil Dev, India defeated the two-time champions West Indies by 43 runs in the final of the 1983 World Cup. The win not only made India champion but also announced their arrival at the world cricket.

After posting 183 runs in 60 overs in the final, the Indian bowlers did a wonderful job defending the target. Madan Lal and Mohinder Amarnath picked up three wickets each to help bowl out the mighty West Indies for 140.

The 1983 World Cup-winning players were awarded a cash prize of Rs 25,000 each by the BCCI. When late singer Lata Mangeshkar came to know about the low prize money, she organised a fundraising musical concert in Delhi and awarded Rs 1 lakh to each player in the team.