25 years on, Kapil's Devils turn back clock

Tue, Jun 24 01:05 AM

KRIS SRIKKANTH didn't hold a cigarette between his lips, neither did Roger Binny roll his sleeves or Sandeep Patil balance himself precariously on the broad shoulders of Kirti Azad. For a lot of water has flown under the Thames since that epoch-making day twenty five years back, when on that consecrated Lord's balcony, Kapil Dev and his rag-tag bunch slay the bullies from the West Indies to lift India's only World Cup.

The toned stomachs now have given way to cute paunches, the ill-fitting bell-bottoms to immaculate and spiffy formal clothing, the broken English has turned fluent and much more eloquent, and the youthful impetuosity has been phased out clinically. But one thing that has occupied its pride of place is the cheek - yeah, ask the West Indians! - and the unadulterated enthusiasm, both of which dovetailed perfectly on Sunday night as India's golden oldies regaled all and sundry at the silver jubilee of the day, the only day thus far, on which we became the world champions.

No matter how many times you might have heard it, no matter on how many occasions the protagonists might themselves have regurgitated it, this winners' tale always charms the country. The geriatrics never tire of telling you that if they close their eyes, they can still sense a somewhat awkward Kapil approaching the Lord's balcony, perhaps unable to comprehend the magnitude of what his team had just done, and finally, holding aloft the trophy with the ebullience of a child who had just received his first Christmas present.

On Sunday, you didn't need those achingly nostalgic uncles as Kapil and Co. themselves were on charm offensive, elaborating as much on triumphs as on transgressions, with the captain playing the raconteur with aplomb and going through the whole gamut of emotions.

After the usual showering of encomiums by BCCI president Sharad Pawar, a jovial Kapil took over and soon took a trip down memory lane. "I didn't have finesse then and I don't have it now," he warned before calling each member of the side to the dais, an anecdote accompanying each' approach.

Syed Kirmani was described as a person who was always late, except when it came to taking catches. How did Kirti Azad, "a son of a politician", turn his surra in the semifinal against England still confounds Kapil.

Sandeep Patil was called a true all-rounder, with writing, cricket, acting, business and banter described as his metier. Yashpal Sharma's humour still goes over the top of Kapil, and Srikkanth's unique ability to play straight through the slips, walk straight as a ramrod, and inimitable Hindi still mystify Kapil.

Ravi Shastri's determination, resolve, and his commentating ability were praised without fail, as was Roger Binny's proclivity to be laconic and a "perfect team man". Kapil was also left wondering why, after staying together for six years, he and Binny couldn't share much.

Fortunately, he was equally swift in providing the answer, cursing his English and Binny's Hindi for the same. Madan Lal was called earthy and simple, and all were urged to give credit to Lal for bowling that delivery that got rid of King Vivian Richards - the moment is best remembered for Kapil's stunning catch than Lal's delivery! Team manager P.R. Mansingh was ingeniously described as the best "PR Man".

Jimmy Amarnath was hailed as a genius, and the very next moment, teased for his miserly approach with Kapil holding him responsible for him missing a first class game when Jimmy, to save a pound, taught and asked Kapil to wash clothes, and Kapil hurt his knuckles in the process! Dilip Vengsarkar was called "lord of Lord's' while Gavaskar was declared "my hero", and a man who loathed lightening up even occasionally! However, when the captain indulges, how can others be far behind? Patil soon was in his elements when he revealed, while sitting next to his wife, that because his female friends used to come visiting, Gavaskar, his room partner then, had to be forced out for long periods. But when he shared a room with Shastri, it was Patil himself who was shown the door! Gavaskar was equally gracious, saying that without Kapil, India would have never witnessed that day and went on to narrate an incident that jolted the team out of its stupor and gave the players belief.

"Against Zimbabwe when Kapil came in the dressing room for a break, we all disappeared as we were hiding our faces. Here was a man who had shown how we should have batted.

It was from there the Indian team took off, and started to once again believe in themselves. He is the greatest cricketer India has ever produced.

" However, the most pertinent quote was spoken by the then Board president NKP Salve, who said that even 25 IPLs cannot match the impact of that fateful June day. No one, be it ICL's Kapil, or IPL's Gavaskar, could have agreed more.

Victory, oh victory!.

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