Sporting icons : Kapil Dev - achievements & video of great Indian all rounder in cricket

 

Kapil Dev  (born 6th January 1959)  , the iconic Indian cricketer, etched his name in the annals of cricket history with indelible achievements. As the captain of the Indian cricket team, he steered them to an historic triumph in the 1983 Cricket World Cup, a watershed moment that transformed Indian cricket. Renowned for his dynamic all-round skills, Kapil Dev held the world record for the highest number of Test wickets at the time of his retirement. His audacious innings of 175 against Zimbabwe in the same World Cup remains eternally etched in the memories of cricket enthusiasts. Kapil Dev's leadership prowess was further evident in victories like the 1985 World Championship of Cricket. Honored with the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, and an induction into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, Kapil Dev stands tall as an enduring symbol of cricketing excellence in India.

Kapil Dev was renowned for his dynamic and aggressive playing style, embodying the quintessential all-rounder. As a batsman, he was known for his powerful and fearless stroke play. He was a free stroking batter with great bat swing . His innings of 175 against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup showcased his ability to dominate and turn the tide of a match single-handedly. Kapil Dev's bowling was marked by his decent pace and the ability to swing the ball both ways. His energetic and bustling run-up culminated in a distinctive high-arm action. Notably, he held the record for the highest number of Test wickets at the time of his retirement, emphasizing his effectiveness as a bowler. Kapil Dev's fielding was characterized by athleticism and agility, contributing to his reputation as a complete cricketer. Overall, his fearless and dynamic approach to the game left an indelible mark on cricket, solidifying his status as one of the greatest all-rounders of his era.

 Here are some of his notable achievements:

1. **1983 Cricket World Cup:** Kapil Dev led the Indian cricket team to its first-ever World Cup victory in 1983. His remarkable innings of 175 against Zimbabwe in a group stage match was crucial to India's success as he rescued India from an impending defeat from 17/5 and turned the game around in spectacular fashion . 

Kapil had a stellar ODI record of 3783 runs and 253 wickets in 225 games .

2. **Test Cricket Records:** Kapil Dev held the world record for the highest number of Test wickets (434) at the time of his retirement. He was the first player to achieve the all-rounder's double of 5,000 runs and 400 wickets in Test cricket.

His brilliant batting and superb  outswing bowling in the 6 test back to back series vs Australia & Pakistan in 1979-80 long season in which he took 28 wickets vs Australia and a mindboggling 32 wickets vs Pakistan were his best bowling performances and India won in both the test series .

Kapil pulled off some sensational feats in test cricket namely his 5 wickets to break the back of a formidable Australia batting on the last day of MCG test in 1981 and his 4 successive sixes off Hemmings to save follow on for India vs England in 1990 with final wicket standing . 

Kapil Dev led India to a convincing 2-0 test series win in England in 1986 - his best result as a test captain. 

Kapil Dev scored  5248 test runs at 31 average with 8 centuries in 131 tests . He took 434 test wickets at 29 average and 64 strike rate . He had 23 five wicket hauls and took 10 wickets in a match twice .

3. **1985 World Championship of Cricket:** Kapil Dev helped  India to victory in the World Championship of Cricket in Australia, showcasing his bowling  skills and all-round prowess.

4. **Arjuna Award and Padma Shri:** He received the Arjuna Award in 1979 and the Padma Shri in 1982 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Indian cricket.

5. **Wisden Indian Cricketer of the Century:** In 2002, Kapil Dev was named by Wisden as the Indian Cricketer of the Century, highlighting his impact on the game.

6. **ICC Cricket Hall of Fame:** Kapil Dev was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2010, acknowledging his significant contributions to the sport.

7. **Ranji Trophy Success:** Before his international career, Kapil Dev played a crucial role in Haryana's victory in the Ranji Trophy during the 1982-83 season.

These achievements collectively establish Kapil Dev as one of India's greatest cricketing icons.

In the below video there is a glimpse of Kapil Dev playing a spectacular innings of 129 to rescue India from a precarious 31/6 vs South Africa in a test in 1993 . This innings is in Wisden's top 100 knocks of all time