Kapil backs current Indian team to repeat his feat

New Delhi, Jun 22 (UNI) As the most memorable moment of Indian cricket was relived here tonight, legendary all-rounder and the 1983 World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev exuded confidence in the present Indian team and said they have it in them to bring back the coveted trophy in 2011.

The BCCI felicitated the 14-member Indian team which won the 1983 World Cup and said, ''it was this team which sowed the seeds of further popularity of the game in India.'' Former Indian captain Kapil Dev said it was a feat that his team never thought would be able to achieve, but with the greats like Sunil Gavaskar, Mohinder Amarnath, Syed Kirmani and their exuberance of youth, they were able to defy all the odds.

''We do not realise what happened then but it is days like these that remind us what we have done for the nation,'' Kapil said.

''Entire team contributed to the victory. It brought Indian cricket to the centre stage of world cricket that we enjoy today. As a captain, how it happened I really don't know but when it happened then only we could realise it.

''What we achieved 25 years ago was really unimaginable. In my opinion, the love and affection of countrymen which we got was unparallel to money,'' said an emotional Kapil.

''Somewhere I must say that 1983 team believed in themselves. That time when somebody asked me, if you can be World Champions, I said no,'' he said.

He also thanked the then BCCI president NKP Salve and manager PR Mansingh for their efforts and hoped that the good work that changed the face Indian cricket would continue for years.

Senior member of the 1983 team Sunil Gavaskar said it was Kapil Dev's inspiration that showed the way and helped the team to rewrite history.

''He is the man who showed us the way. The time when Kapil lifted the trophy was the greatest memory of my life. He is still the greatest cricketer India has ever produced,'' he said.

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