As the Indian cricket fraternity celebrates the 65th birthday of Kapil Dev on January 6th, the country revisits the illustrious milestones of the man who not only captained the Indian team to its first World Cup victory but also set awe-inspiring records as one of the most remarkable all-rounders in cricket history.
Kapil Dev’s cricket odyssey began with his international debut back in 1978, a starting point that would see him evolve into an iconic figure revered across the cricketing landscape. Until his retirement from the sport in 1994, Kapil showcased his prowess in 131 Tests and 225 One Day Internationals (ODIs), accumulating 687 wickets and over 9000 runs in his international career. These numbers have entrenched Kapil Dev as the best pace all-rounder that India has ever produced to date.
One of Kapil’s most memorable triumphs was leading India to their historic win at the 1983 World Cup. This event remains etched in the annals of cricket as a defining moment of excellence and leadership. However, his individual records also paint the picture of an extraordinarily gifted and relentless competitor.
When the cricketing world was witnessing the feats of all-rounders like Imran Khan, Ian Botham, and Richard Hadlee, Kapil managed to surpass their records in the Test arena. He took 434 wickets and scored 5248 runs in 131 matches, which included eight centuries. Moreover, Kapil holds the distinction of being the only cricketer to surpass the dual milestone of over 400 wickets and 5000-plus runs in Test cricket, a monumental feat that cements his place among the legendary all-rounders of the game.
Another testament to his bowling dominance is the record for the best bowling figures in a single Test innings. On a memorable day in November 1983, Kapil decimated the West Indies batting lineup at Gujarat Stadium in Ahmedabad, claiming nine wickets in a single innings. This achievement shattered the previous record of eight wickets in an innings held by Imran Khan since 1982. Moreover, Kapil’s eight-wicket haul against Australia in 1985 further showcased his capability to take charge and lead from the front.
Throughout his career, Kapil Dev’s name became synonymous with versatile and consistent performance. Notably, he is one of only two Indian cricketers to have both scored over 250 runs and taken more than 20 wickets in a single Test series — a feat he has accomplished twice.
Kapil’s batting prowess also made headlines in the limited-overs format. His epic 175* runs off 138 deliveries against Zimbabwe during the 1983 World Cup stood as the highest individual ODI score at that time. The significance of his innings was further magnified by his 126-run partnership with Syed Kirmani, which to date, remains the highest for an Indian pair for the 9th wicket in ODIs, and the second-highest globally.
In ODIs, Kapil Dev stamped his authority by becoming the first-ever cricketer to take more than 200 wickets. Furthermore, his monumental 175* remained the highest ODI score for a batter at number 5 or below, until it was surpassed by Glenn Maxwell’s double century in the 2023 World Cup.
With his groundbreaking records and inspiring journey, Kapil Dev remains a towering figure whose legacy transcends the boundary ropes. As he celebrates his 65th birthday, it is this enduring spirit of cricketing excellence that fans and fellow players alike honor. His contributions to cricket are not merely etched in the record books but are also deeply embedded in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts around the world.
