Even though people didn’t get to witness an Ind-Pak final, both the cricketing nations won something way more important. They grabbed the right to speak at the top of the totem pole. They forced democratization upon international cricket, as it always should be.

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INFO SOURCES:

1. https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/how-administrators-self-respect-brought-world-cup-india-87-709494
2. https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!sports/why-1987-cricket-world-cup-is-called-as-reliance-cup-and-dhirubai-ambani-fiancial-support-to-1987-reliance-cup-enn25013102423
3. https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/cricket/indias-1000th-odi-how-world-cup-1987-changed-the-business-of-cricket-8044581.html#google_vignette
4. https://www.siasat.com/for-denying-two-tickets-england-paid-heavy-price-and-lost-its-power-to-india-3251322/
5. https://www.scoreline.org/the-great-world-cup-takeover/
6. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/how-salve-brought-the-world-cup-to-the-subcontinent-620997
7. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/amrit-mathur-on-the-1987-world-cup-the-world-cup-leaves-england-812593
8. https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/LcU49Vshl6lsv50thr5nnK/Start-of-the-power-shift.html
9. https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/national-cause/cid/1448512?utm_source=chatgpt.com
10. https://harmonyindia.org/columns_posts/the-reliance-cup/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
11. https://tradebrains.in/how-did-dhirubhai-ambani-make-1987-world-cup-possible-in-india/
12. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/from-insults-a-reliance-world-cup-to-the-richest-cricketing-board-in-the-world-the-rise-and-rise-of-bcci/articleshow/105325101.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com&from=mdr
13. https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19871015-against-all-odds-the-reliance-cup-will-be-the-biggest-ever-799382-1987-10-14
14. https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19880229-dream-come-true-756840-1988-02-28
15. https://openthemagazine.com/features/india/the-politician-versus-the-plutocrat#:~:text=But%20the%20period%20between%20Rajiv,to%20make%20polyester%20filament%20yarn.
16. https://www.icmrindia.org/free%20resources/casestudies/Dhirubhai%20Ambani%20and%20Reliance7.htm#:~:text=October%201986%20turned%20out%20to,for%20raw%20materials%20like%20naphtha.
17. https://www.mensxp.com/sports/cricket/151527-dhirubhai-ambani-birthday-special-crores-spent-by-reliance-head-on-world-cup-1987.html
18. https://www.dawn.com/news/605712/1987-when-world-cup-migrated-to-subcontinent
19. https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/sport/story/19870715-reliance-world-cup-to-be-one-of-the-richest-ever-cricketing-event-799048-1987-07-14?utm_source=chatgpt.com

The 1987 Men’s Cricket World Cup (WC) was a breakthrough event in many senses. It marked the rise of Australia, who won their maiden title, as a formidable force in cricket. It was the first world tournament that followed a 50-over format. It witnessed the first-ever hat-trick (by Chetan Sharma vs. NZ). It was the first WC to feature third-country umpires. This WC edition sparkled with various such gemstones.

Most importantly, the 1987 WC was the first one to be hosted outside England, the sport’s pioneers and one of its torchbearers (along with Australia). India, with Pakistan as its partner in crime, pulled out every trick in the book to snatch the World Cup hosting rights from the clutches of English control. They went against the grain to prove to the cricketing world that the subcontinent can host tournaments of this scale, too.

But was it all easy-peasy to turn this feel-good pipedream into reality? Of course, not! It demanded a well-planned mission to shake up the status quo of the cricketing world. A journey that was littered with episodic bouts of ups and downs.

This article series unpacks how the BCCI, India’s apex governing body for cricket, planted the World Cup firmly in the subcontinent. A story that seemed straight out of Tom Cruise’s MI franchise, where every plot was a breathtaking climax.

So, grab some popcorn and drinks. Time to relive the nostalgia.

Direct Links To The Blogs:

1. Part 1
2. Part 2
3. Part 3
4. Part 4
5. Part 5
6. Final