Would you like to win the World Cup?

Frankly speaking, who wouldn't want to?

The question is how? One of the easiest ways to prepare for an major event is to study the important games from the past and learn some key lessons.

The Indian cricket team won its first World Cup in 1983. They did it at a time, when they were not even expected to reach the semis. They won the finals against West Indies, who had won the previous two editions of the World Cup.

India's victory came against the most respected and at the same time, the most feared cricket team at that time.

Respected for their most devastating batting line up with the likes of Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd; and feared for their Fearsome Foursome Malcom Marshall, Andy Roberts, Joel Garner and Michael Holding! If you were to google their names, you will find a lot of records and best performances of their times, stacked up against each of these names!

So, how did India win the World Cup finals in 1983? What really happened? Can we learn something from what happened on that unforgettable day in Indian cricket?

Here is a narration of the events that led India to an amazing victory:

India was not even expected to reach the semi-finals. In fact, the chances were so low that even some of the key Indian players did not have great expectations. Kris Srikkant even shared once in an interview that he had booked his flight tickets directly from UK to their planned honeymoon location!

India started their world cup campaign with a win against the reigning champions, everyone, including the Indian media called it a stroke of luck, and probably their best moment at the world cup!

Even before India played the semi-finals against England, the media and the bookies started discussing about the possible outcomes of the final match between England the West Indies!

Again by a stroke of luck, or atleast that was what the media wrote, India entered the finals. And the final match was against the formidable, reigning world champions West Indies.

West Indies won the toss and sent India to bat. Not surprisingly, the Indian team was sent packing to the pavilion for a meagre 183. And not to forget, it was a 60-overs-a-side match! The remaining part of the game looked like a formality.

It is half-time. The Indian team was in its dressing room, a lot more silent that usual. Each of them nibbling on their lunch before they step out into the magnificent Lord's again.

What will be running in your mind if you knew you are going to lose, but still have to go out and play the second half?

The last five minutes before stepping out, the Indian team is in a huddle. The team's captain Kapil Dev, in his "Palmolive da jawab nai" voice, talks to the team (translated to english, keeping in mind the global audience in Linkedin), "We have come till the finals. We have reached till here fighting (all odds). Let us go out and give our best. Let us fight one more time."

The India cricket team stepped out that afternoon in 1983, and it fought. The underdogs, the team that was not even expected to reach the semi finals, accomplished what no other team on earth at that time believed can be done: they beat the West Indies by 43 runs!

The victory celebrations inspired thousands of Indians, including a young boy named Sachin Tendulkar. The belief of those eleven men in the second half of the match changed the path of the game in this great country.

What an amazing comeback! What an incredible team work! What can we learn from this amazing victory?

1.If you tend to relax/take things for granted because you have had a great first half, you can end up losing the game in the second half, like the West Indies ended up losing the game.

                   A lot of times, some of us come with some great  advantage. Maybe your parents put you in good schools, the environment was great, you had the right exposure and support. You made the best of the given circumstances, made it to a premier college or university, maybe got a breakthrough with a big brand for a job, or got an early success in your business venture. That's great. I applaud you for your successs till now.

Remember, the game is won or lost in the second half. So, is the game of life.

You may have had a great start. The second half is where you want to leave an indelible mark in this world. Don't get lost among the thousands of people who had a great start. Work hard. Keep learning. Stay strong. Stay focussed. Stay humble. You were made for greatness. That is the only way to have your name alongside the Gates, Jobs, Federers, Jordans and the Tendulkars. The real victory is in finishing your game strong.

2. It does not matter how the first half of the game goes, the game is won or lost in the second half. You can comeback and win the game, like the Indians won the World Cup in 1983.

                You might have had a rough start in life. You probably grew up with some disadvantages....family background, school, type of college, language, degree, grades, etc. The entire world might think that you are no good. But, if you make a decision to "go out and fight", you can win the game of life.               

Life is a tough teacher. It gives you the test first and then teaches you the lesson. But, if you are an observant student, you can learn from the others who have gone ahead and march forward to win.

Till yesterday, it was the first half of the game of your life. It is half time now. This is the time that you can make the most important decision in your life.

I shared this lesson from the World Cup 1983, so that you can win the World Cup of Life.

I am waiting to hear about your win. In fact, the entire world is waiting.

Will you go out and give your best fight in the second half?

Today, is the first day of the rest of your life.