As the Indian women's cricket team stands on the verge of potentially making history at the Women's World Cup final against South Africa on home soil, legendary cricketer Kapil Dev has urged fans and media to avoid comparisons between the current team and his own 1983 World Cup-winning squad.
Kapil Dev, who captained India to its first-ever World Cup victory in 1983, recognizes the magnitude of the opportunity before Harmanpreet Kaur and her team. The Women in Blue have yet to win an ICC tournament, and a World Cup victory would be a watershed moment for the sport in the nation. This chance has inevitably led to comparisons with the 1983 men's team, who defied expectations to lift the trophy.
Speaking on a Star Sports promo, Kapil Dev shared words of encouragement for Harmanpreet Kaur and her team, emphasizing their unique strengths. "A lot of people compare them to '83, and I don't think there should ever be a comparison," he stated. He further added, "These girls are much better, very smart, and the way they played cricket, it felt like they took the level of cricket to the next level," referring to India's historic semi-final win against Australia.
Kapil Dev's sentiment echoes a broader understanding that the achievements of the women's team should be celebrated in their own right, without being overshadowed by the accomplishments of their male counterparts. He has been a vocal supporter of women's cricket, having previously lauded the team for their performances and the impact they have on inspiring young girls to take up the sport. In 2017, after the Indian women's team finished as runners-up at the World Cup, he said their success "means the world to the girl child campaign in India". He also noted the runner-up position should change people's outlook on girls pursuing a career in sports and that the achievement would motivate thousands to take up cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar has also encouraged the team by asking them to take inspiration from Kapil Dev's 1983 squad.
As the Indian women's team prepares for their historic final, Kapil Dev's message serves as a reminder to appreciate their journey, talent, and potential to inspire a new generation of cricketers. Regardless of the outcome, their impact on the sport is already significant, and their achievements deserve to be celebrated independently.
