I was not invited for World Cup final: Kapil Dev

-, Nov 20, 2023, IBNS

Indias first World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev was not invited by the cricket board (BCCI) for the final match between India and Australia held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, the cricket legend said.

When he was asked why he was not present at the stadium, Kapil Dev told ABP News, I am not there because I have not been invited. It is as simple as that.

It would have been even better if my entire 83 team (1983 winning team) were called. But sometimes people do forget in the middle of so much work and responsibilities.

Among other former India captains, Sourav Ganguly was present at the Narendra Modi Stadium for the final match, which was almost one-sidedly won by Australia.

However, Ganguly was invited in the capacity of former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president.

Bollywood A-listers Shah Rukh Khan and his family, Deepika Padukone, her actor husband Ranveer Singh were in attendance. Deepikas father and former badminton icon Prakash Padukone too was there.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who handed over the trophy to Australia captain Pat Cummins, reached the stadium little before the moment where the yellow brigade clinched their sixth World Cup title.

India, who were the best team in this edition of the World Cup until the final, on Sunday failed to dominate with batting getting bowled out for 240 in 50 overs.

Though the Indian pace battery looked fierce in the opening overs picking three Australian wickets, the visitors silenced the crowd when Travid Head (137 off 120 balls) and Marnus Labuschagne (58 not out off 110 balls) took the team to home.