Who captained India to victory in the 1983 Cricket World Cup?

Kapil Dev captained India to victory in the 1983 Cricket World Cup. India defeated the West Indies in the final at Lord’s on 25 June 1983, winning the country’s first men’s Cricket World Cup.

Kapil was a genuine all-rounder: a fast-medium bowler, aggressive middle-order batter and India’s captain during the tournament. India entered the competition as outsiders, while the West Indies had won the first two World Cups and were heavily favoured. India’s 43-run victory therefore became one of cricket’s biggest upsets.

The final was shaped by India’s modest total of 183 all out. Mohinder Amarnath and Madan Lal each took three wickets as India bowled the West Indies out for 140. Kapil also made one of the tournament’s defining contributions in the group stage, running back to catch Viv Richards in a match against the West Indies.

A common mix-up is to credit the 1983 triumph to Sunil Gavaskar or Mohinder Amarnath, both important members of the side. Gavaskar was a celebrated opener, and Amarnath was the final’s player of the match, but Kapil Dev was the captain.