India was 17/4 in the 1983 Cricket World Cup when the unexpected occurred as Kapil Dev was in the shower

In the history of Indian cricket, July 25 is noteworthy because it commemorates a historic day that happened four decades ago. A wonderful chapter in Indian cricket history was written on this very day when the legendary Kapil Dev and his tenacious squad proudly raised the World Cup Trophy. Their triumph not only gave India its first World Cup title, but it also encouraged countless generations to have faith in the unbreakable spirit of this beautiful game. The 1983 World Cup triumph ranks as a great accomplishment, beating the odds while being considered underdogs.

Unbeknownst to many, the Indian team’s chosen cricketers did not approach the competition with utmost seriousness. Some players had originally planned to have vacations in the United States with a quick detour in London to complete their World Cup duties, shocking disclosures from the team’s own members revealed.

One such player, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, who had only recently been married before to the World Cup, openly revealed in many interviews that he had painstakingly arranged a honeymoon in the United States after the competition. He indicated that several athletes had identical goals.

Team manager PR Man Singh said that the cricket association had booked hotel bookings for only a few days, expecting the team would not go very far in the competition, adding to the shocking discoveries. Even an earlier date was set aside for return tickets. All of these arrangements were quickly changed, nevertheless, as the Indian squad made impressive strides in their performance.

There are several examples of the squad constantly doubting their own ability and having self-doubt. They also gave in to the idea that they were underdogs because the rest of the world did. India have only defeated one other side before the World Cup, East Africa in 1975.

These elements did nothing to increase the level of confidence that could be seen in Kapil Dev’s team members’ expressions and demeanours. Kapil Dev’s remarkable 175 not out innings during the historic India vs. Zimbabwe game, which oddly remained unaired by the BBC, cemented his place in cricketing history. Players often discuss their behind-the-scenes encounters from that crucial day. Kapil Dev openly indulged in a hot shower when India lost four wickets. Kapil Dev finally understood the need to create a historic inning when Sunil Valson repeatedly pushed him to come out of the lavatory because he was afraid it would otherwise go down in cricket history as a disgraceful incident. They had no idea how this game would change Indian cricket for all time.

Along with their spouses, the players had arranged other travel arrangements for their journey to London. The spouses of Mohinder Amarnath, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Madan Lal, Sunil Gavaskar, and Kapil Dev, respectively, Inderjit, Vidya, Anu, Marshneil, and Romi, had their minds set on shopping since they were certain that India had little chance of winning.

Romi Dev and Anu Mohan abandoned their tickets and fled the stadium during the historic final against the fearsome West Indies when India’s play seemed lacklustre and Viv Richards launched a devastating attack with many of boundaries. They thought India would not win.

It has been forty years since a team with their level of underachievement and even lack of self-belief won the World Cup, cementing their place in history and taking the prized trophy home with pride.