Kapil Dev opens up: Absence from 2023 World Cup final due to non-invitation raises eyebrows

Kapil Dev opens up: As India geared up for their third World Cup final against Australia at Ahmedabad, a notable absence caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts—the legendary Kapil Dev, captain of the iconic 1983 World Cup-winning team, revealed that he was not invited to the Narendra Modi Stadium.

In response to inquiries about his absence, Kapil Dev stated, "I wasn’t invited there. They didn’t call me, so I did not go. As simple as that. I wanted the whole '83 team to be there with me, but I guess due to the fact that it’s such a big event and people are so busy handling responsibilities, sometimes they forget."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had reportedly planned to honor all former World Cup-winning captains during the mid-innings break, raising eyebrows over Kapil Dev's unexpected absence from the prestigious event.

On June 25, 1983, Kapil Dev led India to a historic victory in the Prudential Cup, defeating a formidable West Indian team at Lord’s. Despite being restricted to 183 runs by the West Indies bowlers, India's stellar performance secured a 43-run victory, marking a significant moment in the country's cricket history.

The 1983 World Cup triumph was not only a major upset but also a watershed moment for Indian cricket. It marked India's inaugural World Cup win, elevating the nation's cricketing status on the global stage. Kapil Dev's leadership and the team's remarkable achievement continue to be celebrated as a pivotal chapter in the annals of Indian cricket.