1983 triumph changed course of Indian cricket: Tendulkar

Mumbai, Feb 17 (PTI) The epochal triumph of the KapilDev-led Indian team in the 1983 cricket World Cup changed thecourse of game in the country forever and is perhaps thegreatest-ever feat in its history, says senior batsman SachinTendulkar.

In his foreword to a book on the victorious squad byone of the 1983 team members'' Balwinder Singh Sandhu, titled"The Devil''s Pack", Tendulkar recalls the celebrations afterthat historic triumph in his neighbourhood when he was a10-year-old boy.

"Winning the World Cup in 1983, against heavy odds, wasa huge achievement; perhaps the greatest in the history ofIndian cricket! The significance of that win is that itchanged the course of Indian cricket forever," Tendulkar saysin the book which was released here today by another member ofthat triumphant outfit - Dilip Vengsarkar.

"There were unbelievable scenes in my building and theneighbourhood on that historic night when India won the WorldCup. People were dancing on the streets and burstingfirecrackers everywhere.

"As a 10-year-old who knew very little about the game, Igot immersed in the mood and enjoyed the victory with myfriends till the early hours of the morning. Looking back,like me, I am sure there are millions of other Indians whosesuccess stories have revolved round that one greatperformance," he admits candidly.

Vengsarkar, who was the chief guest at the book releasefunction at the MIG Club in Bandra - one of Tendulkar''spreferred practice spots - said Sandhu''s contribution to thegame has been very vast. More PTI SSR ABC AT