cricket, cricket grounds, cricket players, forms of cricket, legendary cricketers: KAPIL DEV (IND)

Introduction

Kapil Dev Ramlal Nikhanj (born 6 January 1959, Chandigarh), better known as Kapil Dev, is a former Indian cricketer regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders of all time. He was captain when India won the world cup in 1983.

Full name: Kapil Dev Ramlal Nikhanj
Born: 6 January 1959 (age 49) Chandigarh, India
Batting style: Right-handed
Bowling style: Right arm fast medium
Role: All-rounder

Test debut (cap 141): 16 October 1978 v Pakistan
Last Test: 19 March 1994 v New Zealand
ODI debut (cap 25): 1 October 1978 v Pakistan
Last ODI: 17 October 1994 v West Indies

Test & ODI Matches: 131 & 225
Runs scored: 5248 & 3783
Batting average: 31.05 & 23.79
100s/50s: 8/27 & 1/14
Top score: 163 & 175*
Wickets: 434 & 253
5 wickets in innings: 23 & 1
10 wickets in match: 2 & n/a
Best bowling: 9/83 & 5/43
Catches: 64 & 71

Domestic Career

Kapil Dev made an impressive debut for Haryana in November 1975 against Punjab with a 6 wicket haul, restricting Punjab to just 63 runs and helping Haryana to victory. However, Kapil finished the season with only 12 wickets in 3 matches.

He played from Haryana against different teams from his country and also participated in many of the seasons along with the internaional cricket. He played the Irani Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy, Wills Trophy and also took part in the North Zone Season of their own country.

In the 1990-91 Ranji season, Haryana rode into the semi-finals where Kapil Dev took centre stage against Bengal where he led his team to a mammoth score of 605 runs by scoring 141 as well as taking 5 wickets.

International Career

He made his Test debut against Pakistan in Faisalabad and was not very impressive debut at all. But with his speed and bounce, he bought glee to the Indian players when Pakistani batsmen were startled with bouncers that clanged the helmet on more than one occasion. Kapil Dev also captured his maiden wicket of Sadiq Mohammad with his trademark out swinger. Kapil Dev showcased his all-rounder talent when he scored India's fastest Test half-century off 33 balls and 2 sixes in each of the innings during the 3rd Test match at National Stadium, Karachi.

1983 World Cup Champions (1982 - 1984)

Kapil Dev debuted as India's captain in the 1982-83 season against Sri Lanka (before the Pakistan tour) when Sunil Gavaskar was rested. Kapil Dev's first assignment as the regular captain was the tour of West Indies where the biggest accomplishment was a lone ODI victory. Kapil Dev (72) and Sunil Gavaskar (90) led India to a huge score - 282/5 in 47 overs and Kapil's 2 wickets aided India to restrict West Indies for 255 and a victory that Indian cricketers claim gave them the confidence to face the West Indies team in 1983 Cricket World Cup. Overall, Kapil Dev had a good series in West Indies as he scored a century to save the second test match as well as picking up 17 wickets (Average: 24.94).

Kapil Dev had upset Clive Lloyd's West Indies to win their maiden and to-date only World Cup and he led from the front with 303 runs (Average: 60.6), 12 wickets (Average: 20.41) and 7 catches in 8 matches - a truly all-round performance.

Performances Chart