India legend Kapil Dev played in an era when West Indies dominated world cricket. The Windies of the old were a cricket powerhouse, winning the first two ODI World Cups before they were dethroned by India under the captaincy of Kapil in 1983 as they created history.
So it’s natural that the allrounder is still trying to come to terms with the fact that for the first time in the ODI world cup history, West Indies will not be taking part having failed to qualify earlier this year.
West Indies took part in the ODI World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe and failed to finish among the top-two teams of the event. Sri Lanka and Netherlands punched their tickets for the marquee event which will be held in India in October -November this year.
“I still can’t believe it,” Kapil was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.
“People were so scared of the West Indies. 40 years down, they have not qualified. In my mind, I didn’t imagine I would see a day like this,” he added.
Kapil says he never thought his team will be adored even today for having defied the odds to win the world title in 1983.
“We still pinch ourselves. We had never imagined we would get so much love,” he said.
Since that momentous event, India have lifted the title once more under the captaincy of MS Dhoni in 2011 when they also became the first team to be crowned world champions at home.
India are again hosting the event after a gap of 12 years and Kapil says they will be the favourites.
“India will enter the tournament as a favourite, it has always been the case. It depends on how the team deals with the expectations of fans. They are yet to announce the final team of players for India but I hope they are fully prepared,” said the former India captain.
India will being their world cup campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai.
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