India, June 12 -- Former wicketkeeper-batter Syed Kirmani has revealed that he was in contention for captaincy along with Dilip Vengsarkar ahead of the 1983 World Cup but the then selection panel zeroed in on the legendary Kapil Dev to lead the country in the tournament held in England. Former India batter Ghulam Ahmed headed the panel that picked the India squad for the 1983 showpiece, while Bishan Singh Bedi, Pankaj Roy, Chandu Borde and Chandu Sarwate were his colleagues.

"There was a question during the 1983 tour of the West Indies before the World Cup. At that time, there was a move before they appointed Kapil Dev as the captain. There was a move between me and Vengsarkar," Kirmani said.

"This is the inside stuff which I heard. Sho...