India’s search for a genuine all-rounder began only after the retirement of the great Kapil Dev. His mercurial rise as a performer culminated into India’s victory at the ICC Prudential World Cup 1983 final at Lord’s.
It was for the first time that India clinched the prestigious trophy since its inauguration in 1975.
No doubt, Kapil Paaji is the greatest all-rounder India has ever produced.
His fast-pace bowling was both lethal and effective. During his era, Kapil Dev brought many laurels to India when the team was still considered a weaker opponent in comparison to West Indies, Australia and England.
World Records of Kapil Dev
- Only bowler to have scored 5000 runs and chipping in (400+) 434 wickets.
- Kapil Dev is the only bowler after the legendry Vinoo Mankad to use Mankading trick to get a batsman out. In a match against South Africa, Kapil Dev knocked off Peter Kirsten’s (non-striker) bails after giving him two warning previously for crossing a line even before a bowl is bowled.
- Kapil Dev scalped 75-wicket in a single year (1983) most by a cricket captain.
- He became the first player to do the double of 100-wicket and 1000-run at just 21-year of age.
- The Haryana Hurricane had been conferred with Arjuna Award, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.
- Kapil Dev was the first player to score 3000 runs and picking up 250 wickets.
- Kapil Dev accomplished a rare feat of never getting a run out in his entire career.
Bowlers are often under estimated in India, but this Haryana-born cricketer proved that nothing can stop a talent from getting its due. Kapil Dev will always stand in par with other best fast bowlers in the world; be it Glenn McGrath, Courtny Walsh or the legend Sir Richard Hadlee.
Kapil Dev The True Legend
The ability of the legend to swing the ball away from the right handers was something that troubled a lot of batsmen in Kapil era (1978-94). Kapil Dev represented class, aggression, determination and decisiveness whenever he came to play on the field. He also stood first when it comes to playing the game in its right spirit. He followed cricket ethics very closely.
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In 1987, at a match against Australia he readily agreed to enhance the Australia’s total from 268 to 270 when a boundary was mistakenly counted as doubles. However, this decision proved costly as India has lost the match by 1-run but Kapil Paaji emerged as the real hero by winning countless hearts of cricket fans.
We wish him a very Happy 58th Birthday and a glorious year ahead.