Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja on Sunday shared what he claimed was the payslip of the Indian World Cup-winning team from 1983 when the side led by skipper Kapil Dev lifted the trophy for the first time.
Raja took to Twitter and posted a picture of the payslip, adding that he would try to get a copy of what Pakistan players were paid during 1986-87 while touring India. He recalled that he was paid Rs 55,000 for playing five Tests and six One Day Internationals during the tour.
“Had to reproduce this... will try to get a copy of what we got paid for the Indian tour in 86-87. I remember it to this date what I got: played 5 Tests and 6 ODI’s and got paid Rs 55000,” he tweeted.
In the picture posted by Raja, it is shown that Indian players were given a daily allowance of Rs 200 for three days, amounting to a total of Rs 600. The match fee, according to the slip, was Rs 1,500 for each player, taking the total to Rs 2,100 which was a big sum in the early 1980s. At present, skipper Virat Kohli’s net worth is estimated to be around Rs 900 crore, with Rs 7 crore salary coming from his Grade A+ contract with the BCCI.
On June 25, 1983, Kapil Dev led the Indian team to its maiden World Cup title after defeating two-time champions West Indies by 43 runs at Lord’s. West Indies were expected to lift the trophy after India, who were asked to bat first in the final, were all out for 183. However, fortune favoured the bold Kapil’s Devils as they turned their luck around and dismissed the defending champions for 140.