When BBC missed recording a historic cricket moment....

When Kapil Dev posed with the World Cup at Lord's ground last year, 36 years after he lifted it in 1983. Picture courtesy: Kapil Dev

BBC went on strike and denied the world to witness one of the greatest captain’s knocks when Kapil Dev hit an unbeaten whirlwind 175 to win the game for India in the 1983 World Cup. Those who took the decision to strike prevented the biggest broadcasting body the opportunity to telecast one of the finest moments in cricket history. That game could have remained as their pride possession forever.

By K.R. Nayar

Reams have been written about Kapil Dev’s unbeaten knock of 175 against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup that happened on the same date as today (June 18).  I have talked to Kapil on many occasions about this knock, especially during interviews or when he would walk into the press box and chat with us during his break from commentating, and relived that innings always. But what I would like to highlight today in addition to the glory of this knock is the importance of professionalism in any field of work. 

For me, this knock was a lesson to all television channels or news agencies to think twice before going on a strike during a sporting event. Today, the world has been denied a video footage of that knock because the British Broadcasting Company (BBC), who was to telecast this match, went on strike that day. This miss will remain a dent on BBC forever because this footage would have been one of their prized possessions that they could telecast every year on this day, or at any time when they intend to show the world what a captain’s knock should look like.

Kapil Dev in the commentary box with former cricketers Farokh Engineer & Ajay Jadeja, along with Ajay Sethi of Channel 2 Group Corporation

 

However, despite not having any recording, it has remained immortal. Though lovers of the game were unable to witness this match, even today all details of this whirlwind knock are known to all cricket fans. This knock came off 138 balls with six sixes and 16 boundaries, and this statistic will remain in the memory of ardent cricket lovers forever.
Those at the BBC who took the decision to go on strike may well have realised that by not telecasting his knock it was actually a loss for the BBC. They refused to discharge their obligation as professionals. I have often discussed this issue with many of my journalist friends that whether your employer gives you a pay hike or not, or denies you the comfort you expected from your job, one should never hit back by refusing to work. The everyday reader who expects you to deliver will never know that you are acting in such an unprofessional manner because of your employer or organization, and would merely label you as a bad professional.
Time and again I have referred about this knock in my writings and even speeches as one of the greatest knocks by a captain. Kapil lifted India, who were tottering at 9 for 4, to a total that helped his team win the match. Seven days after this knock, he lifted the World Cup too!

Interviewing Kapil Dev during his playing days

Kapil is a sportsman with the ability to bravely handle crisis situations. So when I was looking out to get a sportsman's perspective on handling the Coronavirus pandemic, I contacted him. As expected, his remark was filled with positivity. According to him, 'this phase will also pass', and he urged everyone in UAE to think positively. He also made an interesting remark: “All of you must think of all the good things you can now do to better yourself.”

Kapil’s famous line in an advertisement that he figured during his playing days was “Boost is the secret of my energy.” But every time I've met him, I've felt that positivity was the secret of Kapil’s energy and spirit.