MOHALI: Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Indian squad is two wins away from changing the cricket hierarchy in a country which revers the 1983 World Cup winning players as its greatest sporting heroes.

The image of captain Kapil Dev holding aloft the World Cup trophy at Lord's 28 years ago still signifies the greatest moment for Indian sport and one that gave cricket a major boost in this nation of 1.2 billion.

Even though India has produced several top cricketers and performances in the interim — and there's no doubt Sachin Tendulkar is the most-loved individual player — no team has come close to matching the popularity of the 1983 team in popularity among the masses.

If India does win the World Cup this time, as is being widely anticipated by fans, it could finally put in the shade members of the 1983 squad.

Kapil is credited with instilling a new belief among his players that helped them take on the best in the world in the 1983 edition.

He produced a brilliant innings of 175 not out in a group stage match against Zimbabwe before India shocked two-time defending champion West Indies in the final.

The present Indian team is seen to have similar confidence and strengths — and is co-hosting the tournament.

Kapil told a function in Kolkata on the eve of the World Cup semifinal between India and Pakistan at Mohali that it was high time India won the biggest prize in limited-overs cricket again.

"They have every reason to be there (among the champions) and I wish them luck," said Kapil, who played 131 tests and 225 limited-overs internationals. "I am sitting lonely for 28 years and one should join me there."

In which case, Kapil should be ready to share space with others after being in great demand from media houses.

Apart from Kapil, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Mohinder Amarnath and Madan Lal are the prominent cricketers from that 1983 squad who are in demand for television programs and newspaper columns.

Among those from a new generation making inroads into that territory has been Sourav Ganguly, who enjoyed great success as captain in tests and also led India during the 2003 World Cup.

But now there is the possibility of a new bunch of players being elevated into cult figures as India hopes to break a home jinx that has failed to see it go beyond the semifinals in two previous World Cups held on the subcontinent.

"We've waited 28 years to hold the Cup. Hope the wait ends now," reads the slogan used on murals, posters and on television channels in a promotional campaign in which Sachin Tendulkar's photo is used prominently.

A victory this time would have extra emphasis, not only because it would come on home turf but because India would also have beaten three-time defending champion Australia as well as archrival Pakistan on way to the triumph.

It would also elevate the players who've already been part of India's Twenty20 World Championship in 2007.

Apart from Dhoni, players like Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh were among others who were part of that team.

But Tendulkar would, of course, remains the biggest name of them all.

Keywords: Latest sports news, indian cricket, tennis, chess, football, world cup, Pakistani students