Herald: It’s been 37 long years for India’s first ever World Cup victory in 1983. Are the memories still fresh?
Mohinder Amarnath: Ohh, its a very nice feeling every year when we talk about the first World Cup victory, although time has passed it seems like it happened only yesterday. It was a great feeling we won and feel very proud to be part of the team that became World champions for the first time ever.
Herald: Did the team expect to win after initial hiccups in league stage?
MA: You know once we had reached the finals we knew we had to give our best there was no fear of West Indies factor. We had played the mighty West Indies on a number of occasions in World Cup and series and defeated them also. It was nothing new playing West Indies for us. We knew their strong points, their weaknesses. We had put just 183 on the board but importantly they had to score those runs and it was not easy. The conditions were very good for bowling, ideal conditions for Indian seamers. In such conditions you also have hope that you can do miracles. But after our batting, we knew conditions are going to be difficult for any team to chase. I think we went there with very positive frame of mind. We believed that it would take just one ball to take that all-important wicket. I think the hype is made by media. You know the names don’t matter when teams are out in the middle.
Herald: The way Sir Vivian Richards was playing did the team feel thegame slipping out of your hands?
MA: That’s the way Viv has always played isn’t it? He always liked to dominate and when you are chasing a smaller target, you would like to dominate even more to have that impact and demoralise the opposition. So I think his wicket was very crucial at that time as the way he was playing and scoring freely but all wickets on that day were important. It’s not only Viv, we had to take each and every wicket to win the game. We were taking one wicket at a time.
Herald: How would you rate Kapil Dev’s catch of Viv Richards?
MA: That was an outstanding catch definitely; you had to be a good athlete to take that catch. Kapil definitely was the best fielder in our side and he made it look easy. It was a very difficult catch for any cricketer. He made it look very simple.
Herald: How different do you think your victory then was compared to that of MS Dhoni-led Indian team’s in 2011?
MA: We never compare the victories as the time and the era are different but all victories are great when you play for the country.
2011 was a great victory, it was a victory for the country and cricket. Comparisons should not be drawn. All victories are great.
Herald: What’s the difference between winning at Lords and winning at Wankhede?
MA: Lords was the hub of cricket at that time in the mind of everyone but not anymore as peoples view has changed. Cricket has changed and India is the hub of world cricket now not anywhere else. But, I think Lords has a special name for all cricketers. Even now when you play there is something different as it is a historic ground and has a tradition to go and perform over there. Also those days World Cup was happening only in England and not anywhere else. It was satisfying to win at Lords.
Herald: When you think about the three WC wins what comes to mind is Kapil Dev and MSD (twice) holding the cups, the man of match and man of series like you, Yuvraj Singh or Gautam Gambhir seem to have been lost?
MA: No I don’t think so, because I think in names would always be there in history and it won’t change. Usually this happens when the team wins the credit goes to the captain and I think that is fine. You cannot have the whole team to be there at the time to lift the cup, which is the tradition. I think all sports and I don’t think it makes you lesser or smaller. I think the credit has always been there and the people have always appreciated those who have done well and performed exceptionally in the finals, they will never be forgotten. Yuvraj did exceptionally well in 2007 and 2011, Gautam Gambhir did well. In the end it is a team game. Without team, captain cannot win.
Herald: Your best memory of the 1983 World Cup win?
MA: Entire series was a memory, all games were very good. However, Zimbabwe game was memorable as Kapil ‘s innings was one you witness once in a lifetime. So I think that was the highlight as he led from the front in that game when chips were down and he came and led by example to win game.
Herald: I just observed in a video as you picked the last West Indies wicket on that day you ran to take the stump off but were unsuccessful as crowd started chasing you and you missed the all-important souvenir.
MA: The moment the ball hit the pads of Michael holding I knew he was out. It was the happiness, the excitement, I could have picked up the ball it was there also but I also wanted to grab the stumps. The stump was hard and I tried to uproot it but then I didn’t bother, to be very honest. I just felt we had won and achieved something. I think the happiness was there. Those days there were no barriers etc and people were ready to charge in. They also wanted to grab some souvenirs from the ground. It didn’t matter and bother as memories will always remain.
Herald: While other players continued as commentators, coach, the selection committee. You went on self imposed exile after retirement. Why?
MA: I don’t run for jobs you know, because I feel if I have achieved something and If I am good enough it should come to me rather than I go begging for it. I don’t beg for anything. God has been kind to me and I think. In BCCI you need connections to get your things done which I am very bad at actually.
Herald: Your analyses of current Indian team? Why do you think they faltered in 2003, 2015 and 2019 WCs?
MA: It happens, especially when you play overseas the conditions are different and but I think it happens in shorter version of the game. It doesn’t matter how well you are playing but the performance on that day is the key for you. We have a great team. The potential, experience, talent and youngsters are there and you will soon see team lifting the trophy. It’s a good and balanced team and when we have Virat Kohli leading from front they have everything. Its good set and that is why we are doing great even overseas now.
Herald: Once, Imran Khan said you were the best batsman during his times. Now, there is a raging debate of who is best batsman in present times. What is your pick Steve Smith or Virat Kohli?
MA: Its nice that something coming from a player of Imran’s calibre. He was a fantastic player himself and a trendsetter. I think when you come back to debate on Steve Smith and Virat, I would definitely select Virat as he has shown the world that he can perform anywhere in the world now and the way he plays, he dominates and don’t forget coming from slow tracks and going on faster wickets it is not easy which he is doing with ease. Comparison are always difficult but here Virat is ahead of Steve Smith.
Herald: There is also a debate between who has been India’s best captain so far. Who do you rate the best Kapil Dev, Sourav Ganguly or MS Dhoni?
MA: Captains are as good as a team. Comparison is very difficult but for me a good captain is the one who performs overseas. In India, all captains perform. Sometimes, I feel you don’t need a captain in India as you give a team to anyone they will perform as the conditions are favourable. For me Virat is ahead of all captains as he performed well overseas.
