New Delhi: A member of the 1983 World Cup-winning Indian team has raised a serious question to the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) after the Indian cricket board announced a cash reward of Rs 125 crore for the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team for their triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024. India defeated South Africa by 7 runs in a thrilling final to lift the elusive trophy, ending the country’s 11-year-long wait for a major ICC title.
Days, after the prize money was handed to Rohit Sharma & Co. in a felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, has demanded a cash reward from BCCI for the Kapil Dev-led side. Kapil’s men stunned the cricketing world by defeating the mighty West Indies in the final to win India’s maiden World Cup crown in 1983.
It was a victory for the ages as it inspired millions around the country, proving a turning point in Indian cricket. A member of the World Cup-winning side, who chose to remain anonymous, said the BCCI failed to reward the team inadequately at the time as it had no money but they should be rewarding the players now as the board is in a much better position financially and money is not an issue anymore.
“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 team was quoted as saying by IANS.
Unlike today, BCCI was not among the most prosperous cricket boards in the world when Kapil’s Devils lifted the 1983 World Cup trophy at Lord’s. Each member of the team was reportedly awarded Rs 25,00 at the time and BCCI had requested legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar to hold a musical concert in Delhi in the team’s honour, the proceeds from which were distributed among the players.
Nonetheless, the 1983 World Cup victory remains one of the most iconic moments in the history of Indian cricket. The victory led to a cricketing revolution of sorts throughout the nation as it inspired many to take up the sport. Indian cricket has not looked back ever since and the BCCI is currently the richest cricket board in the world by a fair distance.
Will BCCI reward the 1983 World Cup-winning team?
Current BCCI president Roger Binny was himself part of the 1983 World Cup-winning team and played a key role in helping India lift their maiden title. It remains to be seen if the request of the anonymous member of the 1983 squad will reach the ears of the BCCI president and secretary Jay Shah, who might sanction a cash reward for the champions.
A member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team has urged the BCCI to announce prize money for the Kapil Dev-led side. The player said the board had no money at the time to reward the World Cup-winning team but what is stopping them now? Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
