The reason why Kapil Dev's record-breaking 175 in 1983 World Cup wasn't recorded

’83 was arguably the most anticipated movie of the year and the movie hit the theaters on December 24 (Friday) on Christmas Eve. The response has been massive from the fans as the director Kabir Khan and the actors in the film have perfectly recreated the iconic moment of India winning the World Cup for the first ever time in 1983. It is the perfect story of the underdogs where literally no one gave Kapil Dev and his team even a chance to win a single game.

However, team India defied all the odds and defeated the mighty West Indies twice in three games including the final to lift the silverware. During their World Cup campaign though, the side faced a lot of hurdles. Having won two and lost as many, India found themselves in a must-win situation against Zimbabwe in their fifth game of the tournament.

Yes, this is the game where the India skipper Kapil Dev smashed a record-breaking 175 to pull his side out of precarious situation of 17/5. He smashed 16 fours and six sixes during his 138-ball knock at the Tunbridge Wells. Unfortunately, the knock wasn’t covered and to date, there are no highlights of the innings.

The reason for the same is the nation-wise strike from the sole broadcasters BBC back then. Media didn’t cover the the two matches played on that day. Even Australia and West Indies faced each other at Lord’s but even that match was not recorded on camera.

Kapil Dev doesn’t regret that knock wasn’t recorded

However, Kapil Dev has no regrets that his then world record knock wasn’t covered by the media. Rather he is happy that the cricket fans will get to relive history and his innings in the film. “No regret in life. Aap sabne itna pyaar mohabbat diya. Aur yeh jo picture ban rahi hai, regret kis baat ka? (All of you have given so much love and this movie has got made. What’s there to regret?) Nahi record kiya toh nahi kiya.

“I don’t take it that way. Sabke zehen mein hai woh important hai (It is important that everyone remembers it). Baaki enke upar chhod diya (Kabir Khan) (Rest I have left it up to director). Inhone jo kiya hai humne agle ek hafte mein pata chal jaega ki kis tarah, kitna close uss inning ko dikhaya (We’ll get to know how close it was to the actual knock in the next one week),” Kapil said while speaking to Zee News.