Sandeep Patil compares his fifty in 1983 semis to Jemimah’s century; says hers is better

Men's cricket in India underwent a permanent transformation on June 25, 1983. When Kapil Dev led India to victory in the World Cup final at Lord's, it was the first step towards turning a sport into a multibillion-dollar industry and a national obsession.

Harmanpreet Kaur's team has the chance to permanently alter women's cricket in India on November 2, 2025, to turn the flame that was ignited on Thursday night into a bright light that may motivate future generations.

The outcome was more than an upset when Sophie Molineux was cut by Amanjot Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues through backward point to lead India to a historic triumph against Australia in the semi-final. It was the beginning of something really important.

Australia has been the dominant power in women's cricket, much like Clive Lloyd's West Indies were in the men's game at the time. India, on the other hand, has been the team that comes closest to winning the trophy; they are frequently brave and great but have been lacking the final push.

Members of India's 1983 World Cup-winning side, Kapil's Devils, were among the first to applaud the women's team. With pleasure in his voice, batting great Sunil Gavaskar declared, "It's one of the greatest wins in Indian cricket - both men's and women's game."

The game brought back strong memories of India's 1983 semifinal victory against England at Old Trafford for Sandeep Patil, another hero of that glorious summer.

"The Indian women's team's World Cup semi-final win over Australia reminded me of our semis victory against England in the 1983 World Cup. Beating Australia is always special. To beat the West Indies in the 1980s (India humbled the mighty West Indies by 43 runs in the final at Lord's) was something similar. This Australian women’s team is just as dominant,” Patil said.

“I've sent a congratulatory note to Amol (Muzumdar, Indian women's team head coach),” he added.

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