India, Feb. 27 -- The period between 1983 and 1989 was a fascinating phase in Indian cricket. Kapil Dev's Devils had delivered the country its first World Cup triumph, and just two years later, India lifted the 1985 World Championship of Cricket in Australia with a group of players that's still regarded by many as India's greatest ever ODI team. Sunil Gavaskar, though in the twilight of his career, remained a guiding force as captain, supported by the emerging Mohammad Azharuddin and the experienced core of Dilip Vengsarkar, Kris Srikkanth and Madan Lal. The team was further strengthened by the exciting young leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and, of course, the Audi-winning Player of the Tournament, Ravi Shastri.

Change arrived rather...