'India's Luckiest Cricketer', aka Sunil Valson, was the only player in the fourteen-member team that surprised itself as much as the world of cricket by bringing home the Prudential World Cup in June 1983.

But Valson insists there is no rancour, frustration or bitterness -- "disappointment, yes" -- that he never got to represent the country in international cricket even after the World Cup, though he came close on various occasions.

"But at least I have some company now," 'Vally' said with a smile, referring to Ajit Agarkar, Parthiv Patel and Sanjay Bangar. These three members of the Indian squad that came closest to emulating the "class of '83" did not get to play a game as India lost in the final of the World Cup in South Africa in March.

"I think Sourav and the boys did a great job," said Valson. "They would have had to play exceptionally well to beat a side as formidable as the Australians though."

But the topic was the 1983 World Cup, not the 2003 edition, and Valson, who was playing for Delhi as a left-arm seamer back then, said the memories are still as warm and fresh as ever. "I can't imagine it's been 20 years since that fantastic day at Lord's."

So how did the momentous victory change his life? Did it help open any doors? "Not much really. Cricket was not such a high-profile game then. The advent of TV would come later. Sure, the victory was a turning point for Indian cricket as finally we were recognised as a world power in one-day cricket. But it did not bring us any huge riches as was depicted in the media at the time.

"Before the tournament the English media had written us off as no-hopers and this acted as motivation as we were determined to prove them wrong. But at that stage our only hope was to reach the semi-finals by beating a couple of good teams."

It was the victory in the opening match against defending champions West Indies at Old Trafford that suddenly made people sit up and take notice of the Indian team.

"That was a great morale booster and we really outplayed them." It was the West Indies' first defeat in three World Cups. "But even after that victory no one seriously talked about us winning the World Cup itself. We just figured on reaching the semis if we could pull off just one more upset," Valson revealed.

Valson was 12th man in almost all the matches and came closest to getting into the playing XI for the return game against the West Indies at the Oval (which India lost).

"Roger [Binny] was carrying an injury and on the morning of the match I was told to be ready to play. But he passed the fitness test. Each game was as crucial as the other and there was not much room for experimenting. So I did not get a chance to figure in the playing XI though I did do very well in the warm-up matches prior to the tournament. But even mid-way through the tournament I never felt a sense of frustration at not playing," said Valson, who was 25 at the time.

Teamwork has always been touted as the magic mantra that won India the Cup. Valson, though, feels that it was the presence of so many all-rounders that made all the difference. "We had guys who made vital runs even at numbers 9 and 10 and it is this factor that is missing in today's team," he said. "Plus the players had the hunger then as there was not so much cricket being played as there is today.

"Being part of that team is something no one can take from me and it has been an honour and a privilege. After all, there were only 14 of us," were Sunil Valson's parting words. And yes, there was not a trace of bitterness, only a sense of pride and satisfaction, as he uttered them.