Former India World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev cautioned fans against harboring excessive expectations that might result in heartbreak. His advice came in the aftermath of team India’s six-wicket defeat to Australia in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on November 19. The 1983 World Cup-winning skipper urged Indian fans to avoid creating undue pressure and to view cricket as simply another sport.
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“Don’t keep so much hopes that people end up with broken hearts. We need to keep a balance. Other teams also came to India to compete in the World Cup. We shouldn’t create so much hype. We need to look at sports as sports only. Whoever plays good on the day, we need to respect that. We are too emotional,” Kapil Dev said at the inaugural tee-off ceremony of golf tournament.
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Kapil Dev also encouraged fans to focus on celebrating India’s accomplishments rather than dwelling on what they might have missed out on.
“They won 10 matches in a row. Is it not enough? We should look at other teams as well. We shouldn’t compare anyone. What is important is to see whether they played good cricket or not. We played very good cricket. Final day was not ours so be it,” he added.
Kapil Dev on India’s pressure situation
India secured 10 consecutive wins in their World Cup campaign, before Australia reversed the situation in the final. Over the last decade, India has faced defeat in seven out of eight knockout games in the ICC tournaments held between 2014 and 2023. Kapil Dev expressed uncertainty about whether the team succumbs to the pressure of the occasion.
“I think today’s players can answer how much pressure they feel. We can only feel,” he said.
Kapil mentioned that there are areas that require attention and improvement.
“If they (India) win it feels really good. There are shortcomings which we need to address. It is not that you won’t have shortcomings after a win. What’s most important is to rectify them,” he said.
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