India's 1983 Prudential Cup win was no fluke

June 25th 1983 (it was dawning midnight in India) and the rousing laughter of a successful execution (sad times with Tirupur banian co. strikes and family reeling under pressure without work/business, thanks to the communists.).

Kapil's Devils had their share of luck, but there was strength in the side and options.

Dilip Vengsarkar and Ravi Shastri did not figure in the XI for the semifinal and final. This indicates the depth in the side. Sunil Valson was a drinks boy, never to be invited even for the programs and the 25 lakhs cheque. The mistake was corrected later when CNN IBN pointed out. Sunil Valson seems to have settled somewhere. The quota system still prevails with TV programs making the seniors (!) to sit along with major anchors, while others are in the audience.

Syed Kirmani walked in at No. 10. The wicket-keeper batsman had a Test hundred against his name.

A glimpse at the composition of the team makes for interesting reading. Sunil Gavaskar and Srikkanth as openers — a classic combination of the stayer and the dasher. The solidity of Mohinder Amarnath and Yashpal Sharma's spirit was followed by the heavy hitting ability of Sandeep Patil and Kapil Dev.

India's lower order, with Kirti Azad, Roger Binny, Madan Lal, Kirmani and No. 11 Balwinder Sandhu, who had two away Test half centuries in Pakistan and West Indies. There was no dearth of multi-dimensional-talented cricketers in the side.

India had the attack for the English conditions. Kapil could move the ball away or bring it in at will. Sandhu and Binny were genuine swing bowlers. Madan Lal and Amarnath lacked speed, not accuracy; they pegged away. Azad bowled his mix of off-spin and off-cutters to the field. The discipline in the bowling and the fact that the bowlers comprehended their limitations meant there were no easy runs on offer; the pressure was maintained.

Srikkanth, Yashpal, Madan Lal and Binny were swift on the field. Kapil, a brilliant all-round fielder, had a strong arm, so did the others like Mohinder and Azad. Gavaskar, under pressure, pouched catches in the slips.

India has evolved in one-day cricket since. Sunil Valson, you do share the moment. We dont forget you!

Statistics (c) BCCI

Player	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wkts	Ave	Ct	St
BS Sandhu	8	4	2	28	11*	14	83	10	297	8	37	2	0
DB Vengsarkar	2	2	1	37	32*	37	-	-	-	-	-	1	0
K Srikkanth	8	8	0	156	39	19.5	-	-	-	-	-	3	0
KBJ Azad	3	2	0	15	15	7.5	17	1	42	1	42	0	0
M Amarnath	8	8	0	237	80	29.62	49	2	178	8	22	0	0
N Kapil Dev ©	8	8	3	303	175*	60.6	84	13	245	12	20	7	0
RJ Shastri	5	5	1	40	17	10	20.1	1	87	4	22	3	0
RMH Binny	8	6	0	73	27	12.16	88	9	336	18	19	2	0
S Madan Lal	8	6	3	102	27	34	83	8	285	17	17	1	0
SM Gavaskar	6	6	0	59	25	9.83	-	-	-	-	-	3	0
SM Patil	8	8	1	216	51*	30.85	9	0	61	0	-	2	0
SMH Kirmani (k)	8	6	1	61	24*	12.2	-	-	-	-	-	12	2
Sunil Valson	0	0	0	0	0	0	-	-	-	-	-	0	0
Yashpal Sharma	8	8	1	240	89	34.28	-	-	-	-	-	2	0