1983 World Cup Captains - Where are they now?

Kapil Dev, Duncan Fletcher and Imran Khan captained their respective teams in the 1983 World Cup
Kapil Dev, Duncan Fletcher and Imran Khan captained their respective teams in the 1983 World Cup

The 1983 World Cup is best remembered for India's championship win. They were the underdogs when the competition began but they went on to perform exceptionally well to capture their maiden World Cup.

Eight teams - India, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Australia, Pakistan, England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka - participated in the 1983 World Cup. The tournament had a group stage format, followed by two semifinals and a final.

On that note, we will look at the captains of the eight teams in the 1983 World Cup and where they are now.


#1 India's 1983 World Cup captain - Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev helped India win the 1983 World Cup
Kapil Dev helped India win the 1983 World Cup

Kapil Dev captained India in the 1983 World Cup. He led the side from the front by picking up 12 wickets and scoring the most runs (303) for the team in the competition.

Dev played international cricket for India until 1994. He now works as a cricket expert.


#2 Sri Lanka - Duleep Mendis

Middle-order batter Duleep Mendis captained Sri Lanka in the 1983 World Cup. Sri Lanka finished last in Group A, winning only one of their six matches. Mendis scored 158 runs for the team in that tournament.

He played his last international match in 1989. Mendis is currently the head coach of Oman.


#3 England - Bob Willis

Former cricketers Rick McCosker (L) of Australia and Bob Willis of England
Former cricketers Rick McCosker (L) of Australia and Bob Willis of England

Fast bowler Bob Willis led home team England in the 1983 World Cup. Under his captaincy, England topped the Group A standings but lost to India in the semifinals. Willis took 11 wickets in seven matches for the team.

He played his last game for England in 1984. Willis died on December 4, 2019, three years after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.


#4 West Indies - Clive Lloyd

Clive Lloyd was one of the best players of his time
Clive Lloyd was one of the best players of his time

Two-time defending World Cup champions West Indies reached the 1983 World Cup Final under Clive Lloyd's captaincy. The left-handed batter scored 112 runs in eight matches in that tournament.

Lloyd's last international appearance for West Indies came in 1985. The 77-year-old worked as a match referee after his retirement. He no longer works as a referee now, but he regularly shares his views on cricket on television channels and publications.


#5 Pakistan - Imran Khan

Captain Imran Khan led the Pakistan team to the semifinals in the 1983 World Cup. Pakistan finished second in Group A, winning three of their six matches but lost to West Indies in the semifinals.

Khan played his last international match in 1992. He is now the Prime Minister of Pakistan.


#6 New Zealand - Geoff Howarth

New Zealand played under the leadership of Geoff Howarth in the 1983 World Cup. The Kiwis finished third in Group A, with three wins from six matches. Howarth was the top-scorer (224 runs) for the team.

Howarth played his last international match a couple of years later. The 70-year-old worked as a coach after retiring, but has been away from the cricket world for quite some time now.


#7 Zimbabwe - Duncan Fletcher

Duncan Fletcher was the first man to lead Zimbabwe in a Cricket World Cup
Duncan Fletcher was the first man to lead Zimbabwe in a Cricket World Cup

Zimbabwe made their Cricket World Cup debut in 1983 under Duncan Fletcher's captaincy. Fletcher scored 191 runs and scalped seven wickets for the team, but Zimbabwe finished last in Group B with only one win in six matches.

Fletcher played his last international match in that World Cup. After retirement, he worked as the coach of England and India.


#8 Australia - Kim Hughes

Kim Hughes led Australia in the 1983 World Cup
Kim Hughes led Australia in the 1983 World Cup

Kim Hughes captained the Australian side in the third edition of the Cricket World Cup. However, Australia failed to qualify for the semifinals after having registered only two wins in six matches.

Hughes scored 170 runs in five matches. He played his last match for Australia in 1985. Since retiring, Hughes has worked as a selector and a commentator.

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Edited by Sudeshna Banerjee
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