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Two of the greatest highlights of Indian cricket over the years have been the victories of the 1983 and 2011 ICC ODI World Cups.
ICC 2019 World Cup: Complete program | POINTS CHART
The 1983 World Cup, where India entered the tournament with the underdog mark and ended up winning the trophy after defeating the mighty West Indies. And then there was 2011, where India became champion for the second time and also the first team to win the home trophy.
Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni, the two architects of the two memorable victories, largely supported the pressure and expectations of the cricket frenzy in the two respective editions.
But with them, there were also their families, who felt the pressure and experienced joy as well. What went through the minds of their families when they led the country on the biggest cricket scene?
To better understand this, TimesofIndia.com met Romi Bhatia, wife of legendary Indian captain Kapil Dev, for an exclusive interview.
Excerpts from the interview …
It's been almost 36 years since Kapil Dev won the World Cup trophy. After so many years, what is the first thing that comes to your mind when you remember the memorable incident?
When I remember this incident (smiles), the first image that comes to mind is that of Madal Lal's wife and myself. we reached Tunbridge Wells for the India-Zimbabwe match. We were in a taxi and we reached, and the locker room was a staircase leading to the locker room. Not that we were going into the locker room, we were going sideways in the stands. And I still remember Madan standing at the top of the stairs outside the locker room and he kind of beckoned us to say "Back". When we asked why, he said, "Bura haal hai, 17 years old for 5 years back". It's my strongest memory (laughs). But we stayed because the hotel was very far away. We said 'ab jo hai dekhi jayagee' (we'll see what happens) stay there. We went to sit at a corner of the tribune.
How would you describe the unforgettable shot of 175 Kapil Dev races in this match?
Very Tense! A spectator would have appreciated, but I think that, as a wife, it was like a constant tension: "Oh my god! Next ball! Next ball! Next ball! And I think we're sort of relaxed when the crisis is over. You always dread the bowling of it. I hope it stays! I hope it stays! It was one of the worst hours I would say (laughs)
Kapil Dev during his 175 points match against Zimbabwe
You were with Kapil Dev before the final, present yourself through the emotions he experienced – Did he eat well, slept cranky?
I do not remember what we ate or where we went to dinner the night before the final. But I do not think he slept very well. He got up very early in the morning. It was around 4:30 or 5am but he was awake. I heard him and I woke up and asked him "Kya Hua" (what happened) and he replied "kuch nahi so jao" (nothing, go back to sleep). Obviously, he was not sleeping very well, but Kapil is not a man who will bring the tension back to the house or the hotel room. With cricket, he was a lot in himself, we never really discussed much and I think it was also his way of de-stressing. The same things you are talking about outside and at home, so that adds something. He said: "Ab Jo Hoga Theek, he Hoga" (everything that will happen will be fine). I will not say it was worrying, that it would not be the right word, but of course we all wanted India to win. Because it was something that I think that none of us had planned or expected and when you come here, you want that victory. There was a lot of desire, hope and eagerness.
Were you with Kapil Dev since the beginning of the tournament or did you join him midway through the World Cup?
Kapil was playing for Northampton. So we were already in Northampton. So, I was mainly in Northampton and we used to do a few matches and not all of them. Like the initials. I remember we went to Tunbridge Wells, then to the semifinals, but not to regular matches.
There have been two consecutive losses at the World Cup & # 39; 83 for India. The atmosphere in the locker room changes dramatically in such situations. During the hollowness, did Kapil Dev speak in front of you or was he silent and keeping it to himself?
He never brought his cricket home, so I do not know what the atmosphere of the locker room looked like.
Before Kapil Dev left for the World Cup, what did he tell you and when did he meet you for the first time after raising the trophy, what was it? he shared?
I do not think it's dramatic that he says before leaving. He is a factual person. I do not know what was going through their minds before they left, what they thought, what they expected. We just have to say all the best and they have to be gone. And after lifting the trophy, he just hugged me for a long time at the hotel, because I did not see him on the floor. He did not say anything but he hugged me and I still remember that smell because he came right after playing the game. He was sweaty and naturally excited. He did not say much and there were so many people, but for the first time, there was this public manifestation of affection, where he just took me in his arms during long time.
Cricket being the most important sport in the country, pressure is still exerted on family members, whether the team succeeds or not. In this context, browse your experience when Kapil Dev led India to the World Cup
To be honest, we think today very differently. At that time, we were both 23 or 24 years old. We had neither the maturity nor the sense to realize. Leading the World Cup or becoming captain, someone like me who did not really know much about cricket, I did not realize the importance or value of it at this age. I did not really think about "Oh! Kapil is leading the world cup. Today, there is much more awareness. You realize a lot more things because exposure is much more. It was not really like that at that time. You continue as you did.
And how did things change for you and your family after the World Cup?
Nothing. Yes, the appreciation, when we landed, naturally the euphoria, what you see in India, the joy there, it was exhilarating, but our life as such, no. This just continued. We came to India, we met with the prime minister, the president and a week later we were back and Kapil was still playing for Northampton, the county. So, things returned to normal very quickly.
Today, there are so many opinions as to whether the families of players should travel with the team or not. What are your thoughts on this? According to you, when participating in such tournaments, what is the importance of family support for players?
There are always two opinions at any time. What people tend to think is very individual. Of course, as a wife, I would love to be there, but I really do not know. I think it's more about sports psychologists, because some countries encourage wives and girlfriends to go there. They probably have the feeling of de-stressing. And there are some who are not in favor. If you ask me as a wife, I would of course like to be present, but I do not know what the connotations or the effects are.
And what about the distraction part (the people of our country tend to think that the players do not focus on the practice)
You see, the trainings or any other time to devote to the team effort or to the training, I do not do it I do not know what it is now, but in our day they have been corrected. You can not say that my wife is coming, so I will not train. So, if you spend time with your family, it would be during your free time. You can not practice 18 hours. You can practice at four. You will have a team meeting for an hour or two. So, if you spend time with your family, your wife, your children, you will have two free hours in the evening and a few hours of rest in the afternoon. So, I do not think it would really interfere with team time as such. I think their time is committed. It is, as I said very individual.
How were the two victories of 1983 and 2011 different for you?
There must be a difference. One of which I was part. I was part of the celebration. I saw what was happening all around me. The second, I was a spectator from the outside. So you feel the excitement as a spectator, but you do not sit down personally, you do not see what's around you.
Kapil Dev receiving the World Cup trophy
There was the capture of Viv Richards by Kapil Dev in 1983, then that of Dhoni in 2011 What do you think when you remember both incidents?
I know Kapil's capture, I'll remember that. The six members of Dhoni will be much more important to Sakshi because she is directly connected. These are two completely different things for an individual. 1983 is printed in my mind, 2011 is not printed in my mind.
The most anticipated film, "83", based on India's first World Cup title victory, is in the process of shooting. The power of cinema is immense. Did you or Kapil Dev get scared of a film shot on such an important part of your life?
Initially, I really did not know anything until it was almost over and it was a movie about 83 and not a movie. personal biopic. So it was glory or victory and it was going to be like that. I did not think about it too much then, but now, after meeting Kabir several times, after seeing Ranveer, the hard work, my God! The details they cover and I also hear about extensive research because my daughter participates in this film and it happened, it was not planned, it was just under the spur of the moment. The type of research they were engaged in, the type of details they worked on. They know facts and they have documented details that we have even forgotten. Because they talked to thousands of people. We are limited to our memories. They met crowds, hardcore fans, present at every game. Each player remembers something different. We live it through them again, I think. They did a great job. It's amazing!
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