'Dhoni's Devils' are Imran Khan's pick

MUMBAI: There were six World Cup-winning captains at an event organized by a cellular company to launch the 'Keep Cricket Clean' campaign at a city hotel on Wednesday.

Clive Lloyd, Kapil Dev, Allan Border, Arjuna Ranatunga, Steve Waugh...they were all there. But the man who attracted the maximum attention was Imran Khan.

That's because there's more to Imran than just the fact that he led and inspired Pakistan to their solitary World Cup triumph in 1992. The legendary all-rounder-turned-politician is considered the voice of cricket in Pakistan, if not the sub-continent. His fan base is still alive and kicking in India, which explains why this 58-year-old was the most sought-after personality here.

So who does he tip to win the Cup? "This could the most even, unpredictable World Cup ever. There are six teams who can beat anyone on a given day. Having said that, I think India stand the best chance. You have all-round strength in batting and bowling. The batting line-up, in fact, is great. The team is in good form, and it will play in home conditions," Imran told TOI in an exclusive chat.

But aren't there too many spinners in the team? And isn't the pace attack a bit thin? "No, I don't think there are too many tweakers in this squad. In Test cricket, you can't get away with this, but in One-day cricket you can do with bowling all-rounders. Ideally, you need one express pace bowler but India can do without it also. Zaheer Khan, I feel, is at the peak of his game right now. He has experience and ability," Imran reasoned.

He then offered an insight on how Sachin Tendulkar might be feeling on the cusp of what could be his last World Cup. "Let's put it this way -- having given so much to world cricket over the years, it will be great for Sachin to leave the game with the high of a World Cup triumph. India are the favourites, and Sachin is in good form, so there just couldn't be a better situation for him. I wasn't supposed to play in the 1992 World Cup, but ended up playing it because I thought that if we win, we would get some money for the cancer hospital I wanted to build in my mother's memory. But I remember how privileged I felt that my last game was the World Cup final."

Maybe the schedule, which has every team playing after six-day breaks, can upset India's rhythm. "I think those breaks will be welcomed by the cricketers, because in our times, we didn't have much time to recover between games, and that was tough on the fast bowlers. So this is a positive thing," he opined.

What about Pakistan? "I would say they are the wildcards." Clearly, somewhere in his heart, Imran roots for Pakistan. India would be happy, though, that his mind favours Dhoni & Co.

TOI

’83 Cup magic

’83 Cup magic

— The summer of 1983 not only transformed the face of Indian cricket but instilled in the minds of its followers the belief that its team can win against the best. The World Cup squad under Kapil Dev which had landed on English shores as rank underdogs went on to script a golden piece of history when it humbled and shocked two-time Cup winners, defending champions and then the most-feared side – the mighty West Indies in the final at Lords to return home as heroes. A relatively low score of 183 proved to be more than enough in the end when Mohinder Amarnath trapped last man Michael Holding in front of the wicket for the maiden title. Given India’s dismal track record in the previous two editions, little did anyone know then that a resourceful team of sedate and aggressive batsmen like Sunil Gavaskar, Krish Srikkanth, Sandeep Patil as well as genuine all-rounders like the captain Kapil himself, Amarnath, Ravi Shastri and Roger Binny would conjure up an unbelievable feat against the formidable favourites. Twenty-five years hence as the country gears up to honour these gentlemen – some of whom are now legends in their own right while some have literally become forgotten entities – and celebrate ‘the greatest triumph till date’, the euphoria may not be as intense as it was then but the legacy continues to inspire the current crop of cricketers and the upcoming talents. While the older generation recalls and relives the magical feat of ‘Kapil’s Devils’ in nostalgia, the next generation has the luxury of a complete team to look up to and emulate.The 1983 Cup triumph set a new trend. The world started respecting and recognising India as a force to reckon with. Another major feat was achieved two years later in Australia when it won the World Championship of Cricket under the able leadership of Sunil Gavaskar, which only bore testimony that the ’83 feat was no fluke but a superlative performance when it mattered. Winning soon became a habit albeit there were inconsistencies to follow later in the decade. Nevertheless, India acquired its rightful status, thanks to the ’83 feat. The bottomline of the famous triumph at the ‘Mecca of Cricket’ was that cricket which already was a game for the masses in the Indian context became a passion – an infectious craze that led people to the stadiums in large numbers while keeping millions glued in front of the television. With over a billion people, India today is a hub of the game which has acquired the status of a flourishing industry. Cricketers are no less than demi gods while the brands they endorse earn the loyalties of the consumer. The concept of T20 cricket and professional leagues like the IPL and ICL have become instant hits. In a way, cricket which has become a money-spinner is invariably playing the catalyst’s role in the Indian economy, thanks largely to its passionate followers who still regard the ’83 feat as the magic mantra behind the game’s elevation to a religion. SourcE: ASSAMTRIBUNE EDITORIAL

Kapil's Devils relive 1983 triumph

Kapil's Devils relive 1983 triumph
June 18, 2008Nostalgic moments of a historic victory were relived by members of 'Kapils Devils' as BCCI felicitated the 1983 World Cup heroes in New Delhi on Sunday night.

The Indian team, then considered underdog in international cricket, created history when they shocked two-time World Champions West Indies in the final at Lord's in June 25, 1983 to lift the Prudential World Cup Cup which is till date considered one of the greatest moment in Indian sports.After 25 years of that triumph, the day was once again relived when the 14 cricketers along with then manager P R Mansing were felicitated by the BCCI.