When I look back at the time when ICC World Cup first came into being in 1975, I remember a time that was completely different from what it is today. There was no coloured clothing or white balls or black sightscreens. In fact, we wore cream-coloured tracks back then.
When I look back at the time when ICC World Cup first came into being in 1975, I remember a time that was completely different from what it is today. There was no coloured clothing or white balls or black sightscreens. In fact, we wore cream-coloured tracks back then.
Through the 1975 World Cup, we had one hiccup against Pakistan where we were nine down and Deryck Murray and Andy Roberts got us through that. That was the one sticky moment for us. Then, in the final against Australia, we had a good score on the board but they had a couple of good partnerships and were looking threatening. What happened next is something I cherish to this day! I was just a rookie then and with so many great players, I only batted at No. 5 or No. 6. But I wanted to contribute to the team's cause. And in the final, I helped run-out Alan Turner, Greg Chappell and Ian Chappell.
When we went home as champions, we were treated like royalty.
In 1979, I had gained a little more prominence with my batting. In the final against England, our top-order was in disarray. But then Collis King came in and played magnificently to take all pressure off me. It is not often when someone outdoes Vivian Richards, but King came and did just that. There was no point playing like him, so I just supported him at the other end. When he got out for 86, I decided to take charge and teed off from there. But King was the man responsible for my hundred (138 not out) in that final and his knock made me look good.
In 1983, we had the opportunity to win the tournament for a third time. There was another team with a different idea. At that time, India weren't known for their one-day cricket. But Kapil Dev, a cricketer whom I admire a lot, instilled a new belief in them that certain dreams can be achieved.
I was the captain in 1987 and scored 181 runs against Sri Lanka. It was a great knock. But I take it as a personal disappointment that West Indies couldn't reach the semifinals.
Things changed after that for West Indies cricket and we started going downhill from there. We did not do well in 1996, 1999, 2003 and 2007 and 2011. But in 2011, I felt a different sentiment for that tournament, for Indian cricket, because Sachin Tendulkar was just starting to think about retirement. I believed that an individual who has given so much, not just to India cricket but also to world cricket, he deserved to have some silverware on his mantelpiece. I felt that it was the best opportunity for India to win the World Cup again. And I was very pleased for this batsman who was so good at what he did, that when his career finished, he had something to show for his hard work and commitment. He was a magnificent player and winning the World Cup at home was an icing on the cake for Sachin.
We were not considered contenders for quite a while now, but my heart will always beat for the West Indies, my thoughts and prayers are always with them.
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