By Zainab Shafiq 
In a surprising revelation, former Indian skipper Kapil Dev disclosed that he was not extended an invitation by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to attend the World Cup 2023 final. The BCCI had announced its intention to honor all World Cup-winning captains during the innings break of the highly anticipated clash between India and Australia.
Kapil Dev expressed his disappointment at not receiving an invitation, explaining that despite his desire for the entire ’83 team to join him, the oversight might be attributed to the hectic nature of managing such a colossal event.
“I wasn’t invited there. They didn’t call me so I did not go. As simple as that. I wanted the whole ’83 team to be there with me but I guess due to the fact that it’s such a big event and people are so busy handling responsibilities, sometimes they forget,” Dev said when asked why he wasn’t there in the final.
Interestingly, Kapil Dev had led India to a historic victory over the West Indies in the 1983 World Cup. Despite his significant role in India’s cricket history, his absence from the final’s commemorative event added a layer of intrigue to the tournament’s narrative.
Another notable absentee among the World Cup-winning skippers was Imran Khan, who guided Pakistan to victory in the 1992 World Cup against England. However, Khan is currently facing legal issues and is in jail due to toshakhana cases, explaining his non-participation in the recognition ceremony.
Turning to the final itself, Australia won the toss and opted to field. They successfully restricted their opponents to a target of 241 runs. The Australian bowling attack showcased its prowess, with Mitchell Starc claiming 2 wickets, while Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins secured 2 wickets each.
As the World Cup 2023 final unfolded, the absence of legends like Kapil Dev and Imran Khan from the commemorative event added a layer of complexity and intrigue to an already highly anticipated match.
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