On the cusp of the silver jubilee of India's only cricket WC win on June 25, 1983, I certainly believe this qualifies as one of those truly historical events that qualify for the “what-were-you-doing-when-it-happened” questions.

There is no doubt that this victory changed the way the game reached out to masses all over in India and started a golden period that continued till the semi-final run in the 1987 Reliance World Cup. In between, we also triumphed remarkably in the B&H WCC in Australia in 1985 - as good as the world cup since all Test playing nations participated, not to mention the 2-0 Test series win over England in England in 1986.

I was reading Kapil Dev's interview a few days back and he said that it is difficult to precisely say what was going through his mind at that moment since 25 years is a long time back. There is no question that the mists of time have enveloped the events of that day - yet I can recall that evening quite well as if it was just a few days back.

I was a 20 year old engineering college student on summer vacation - I had just returned from holidaying in Delhi. While in Delhi I recall sitting with friends and listening to the radio commentary - after a good run so far, it was disappointing to listen to 9 for 4; quickly 17 for 5. Given our record in the previous World Cups, this was almost par for the course - the victory over the Windies in the first match more an aberration. What followed was incredible - so much has been written about it, albeit never captured on tape - that I can hardly add anything significant. It was meant to be Kapil's day against Zimbabwe and so it was.

A few days later, I remember returning back to Chennai from Delhi by train - it was to reach Chennai in the afternoon just in time for the semi-finals to start. I rushed home to watch the game on our B&W TV- hoping that we would win, yet almost sure that we cannot. After all this was the world cup and India was there only to make up the numbers mostly.

Another incredible win – and now for the final against the Windies. We had beaten them for the first time a few months back at Berbice and also in our opening world cup game a couple of weeks earlier. So there was, for the first time, a quiet confidence as well.

It was a typically hot Chennai afternoon on June 25, 1983 that I sat down with friends who had come home - all of us wanting to cheer India to history. Sunny got out but the next hour was simply stunning - our local boy went berserk and on a green top where the rest of our batting struggled - Cheeka went on to smash 38 of the very best - with 7 fours and a six to boot against arguably the most terrorising fast bowling attack ever to have played the game (remember Roberts, Holding, Marshall and Garner)- and what I believe to be the most impactful below 50 score in a 50 (actually 60) over game ever by any player.

But at 183 all out we knew the dream run was over. Then WI started batting and while Greendige was bowled, the way Viv was batting - Ok we did well by reaching the finals!

Then it happened. I do not recall what exactly transpired - whether the power blew, our TV went on the blink or there was a transmission failure but we could not watch the next hour or so. Not that it mattered really.

When play resumed - on our TV! - we were stunned - the WI were down 6 for not many. In the next over it was 7 down and we were all gathered again in front of the TV - this time including family members - and I can never forget my old grandmother with beads in her hand and a prayer on our lips, god bless her soul.

Around 10.30 it was all over and we were drained but incredibly happy. I recall going out to Luz corner that night by walk  (we used to live in Mylapore those days) - thousands were on the road screaming and greeting each other with joy and happiness. In Luz corner, a wine shop had opened to brisk business. We managed to buy some beer bottles and sat down on the central traffic island – the place was swarming wit cops, but not one of them stopped us from enjoying our open middle-of-the-road celebrations. Over the next 2 hours we met hundreds of strangers as if we were all long lost friends - all of us celebrating together for a common reason. This celebration is what I remember most.

I have my DVD of the 1983 WC win and I keep watching it occasionally. But it is not good enough any more. I am waiting – along with millions - for the next time we can get a cup home again and truly celebrate again.

Perhaps Dhoni and his men will oblige us in 2011.