Cricket legend Kapil Dev, who led India to its first-ever World Cup victory in 1983, was surprisingly absent from the 2023 World Cup final. Despite being a key figure in Indian cricket history, Dev revealed that he was not invited to the event, leading to his absence. The World Cup final witnessed the presence of several celebrities, including actors Shah Rukh Khan, Ranveer Singh, and Deepika Padukone, as well as Home Minister Amit Shah.

Kapil Dev expressed his desire to have the entire 1983 World Cup-winning team present at the final but understood that “due to the fact that it’s such a big event and people are so busy handling responsibilities, sometimes they forget.”

ALSO READ: Kirti Azad Criticizes PM Narendra Modi for Dressing Room Presence After World Cup Defeat

India’s focus now shifts to the upcoming five-match T20I series against Australia, with the first match scheduled for November 23. The team will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, while big names like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested.

Following their defeat to Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final, the Indian players were left with dejected expressions. Legendary cricketer Kapil Dev encouraged the players to move on from their defeat and learn from their mistakes, which ultimately led to their six-wicket loss.

ALSO READ: Mitchell Marsh Causes Controversy By Placing Feet On World Cup Trophy

“A sportsman must move on,” Kapil Dev stated to reporters. “One cannot carry this disappointment for the rest of their life. This is for the fans. A sportsman must move forward. What has happened cannot be undone. Continue working hard. That is what defines a sportsman. They played exceptionally well. However, they were unable to overcome the final hurdle. What we can learn from this setback is the essence of sportsmanship.”

The Indian team will return to action later this week when they face Australia in a five-match T20I series.