12/3/2023 0 Comments Romi bhatia in 83He was all sweaty and was naturally exhilarated. He didn’t say anything but he hugged me and I still remember that smell because he had come after just playing the match. And, after lifting the trophy, he just hugged me for so long at the hotel, as I didn’t see him at the ground. We must have just said all the best and they must have left. I don't know what was going through their minds before they left, what they were thinking, what they were anticipating. Before Kapil Dev left for the World Cup, what did he say to you and when he met you for the first time after lifting the trophy what did he share? I don't think it was anything dramatic that he said before leaving. During the lows was Kapil Dev vocal about it in front of you or remained silent and kept it all to himself? He never brought his cricket home, so I don't know what the dressing room mood was like. The mood in the dressing room changes dramatically in such situations. There were a couple of back-to-back defeats during the '83 World Cup for India. I remember we went for Tunbridge Wells and then for the semi-finals but not for the regular matches. So, I was mostly in Northampton and we used to go for a few matches and not all. Were you there with Kapil Dev from the beginning of the tournament or did you join him mid-way during the World Cup? Kapil was playing for Northampton. There was a lot of desire and hope and eagerness. Because it was something that I don't think any of us had anticipated or expected and when you come so far, you want that victory. I won't say it was worrying, it won't be the right word but naturally we all wanted India to win. He said ‘Ab Jo Hoga Theek He Hoga’ (whatever will happen will be just fine). Same things you talk outside and at home so it kind of adds-up. With cricket, he was much within himself, we never really discussed much and I think that was also his way of de-stressing. Obviously, he didn’t sleep very well but Kapil is not a man who will bring tension home or to the hotel room. I heard him and I woke up and asked him ‘Kya Hua’ (what happened) and he said ‘kuch nahi so jao’(nothing, go back to sleep). It was around 4.30 or 5 but he was awake. You were with Kapil Dev before the final, take us through the emotions that he went through - Was he eating well, sleeping, grumpy? How worrying or relaxing was it for you? I don't remember what we ate or where we went for dinner the night before the final. Kapil Dev during his 175-run knock against Zimbabwe. I hope he stays! I hope he stays! It was one of the worst few hours, I would say (laughs) You are always dreading now this one’s bowling. How would you describe Kapil Dev’s unforgettable 175-run knock in that match? Very Tense! A spectator would have enjoyed it but I think as a wife, it was, like constant tension - 'Oh my god! Next ball! Next ball! Next ball!' And I think we only kind of relaxed when that crisis was sort of over. We said ‘ab jo hai dekhi jayagee’ (We’ll see whatever happens) Let’s just stay.We went and just sat at one corner in the stands. But we stayed as the hotel was very far away. When we asked why, he said ‘Bura haal hai, 17 for 5 Go Back’. And I still remember, Madan was standing on top of the stairs outside the dressing room and he kind of signalled to us to say that ‘Go Back’. Not that we were going to go into the dressing room, we were going from the side into the stands. We were in a taxi and we reached, and the dressing room, it was a staircase, which led to the dressing room. After so many years, what is the first thing that comes to your mind when you recall the memorable incident? When I recall the incident, (smiles), the first image that comes to my mind is when Madal Lal’s wife and me, we reached Tunbridge Wells for the India-Zimbabwe match. It's been almost 36 years since Kapil Dev lifted the World Cup trophy. What went through the minds of their families when they were leading the country on cricket’s biggest stage? In a bid to get an insight into that, caught up with Romi Bhatia, wife of legendary Indian captain Kapil Dev for an exclusive interview. But with them, there were also their families, who felt the pressure and experienced the joy equally.
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