Kapil Dev Ramlal Nikhanj was born on January 6, 1959, at Chandigarh, India.He is regarded to be among the greatest of all time in the history of cricket. His inspiring journey from a young cricketer from Haryana to guiding India to its first Cricket World Cup triumph in 1983 has left behind an unerasable imprint on the game.
Early Life and Domestic Career
Kapil Dev was born into a Punjabi Hindu family; his father, Ram Lal Nikhanj, was a teak merchant. Kapil was into cricket since his childhood and honed his skill under the guidance of coach Desh Prem Azad. Kapil debuted for Haryana in first-class cricket in 1975 and proved to be a promising fast bowler as well as a good batsman within no time. His performance in domestic cricket paved the way for his being picked by the national team.
International Career
Kapil Dev debuted for India against Pakistan in a Test on October 16, 1978. He later became popular for his hard-hitting batting and aggressive bowling. In 1983, he was the captain of the Indian cricket team that won its first World Cup, a feat that transformed the Indian cricket face. His untainted 175 against Zimbabwe during the tournament ranks among the finest ODI innings. Kapil retired in 1994 with 434 Test wickets and more than 5,000 Test runs, the sole player to attain this double then.
Coaching Career and Match-Fixing Controversy
Kapil Dev was appointed as the coach of the Indian team in 1999. But his sojourn was marred by charges of match-fixing lodged by former player Manoj Prabhakar, who had accused Kapil of having tried to bribe him to underperform in a match. The charges were followed by a CBI probe that cleared Kapil of all charges on grounds of inadequate evidence. Even after being cleared, the scandal affected him, and he resigned as coach in September 2000.
Post-Retirement Activities
After his active cricket career, Kapil Dev continued to be associated with the game in one capacity or another.
He was the chairman of the National Cricket Academy and held the position of a bowling consultant. In 2007, he became a part of the Indian Cricket League, which resulted in his ousting from the NCA because of disagreements with the BCCI. Aside from cricket, Kapil has been engaged in charity work, such as donating his organs for transplant, and has turned to golf, even playing in amateur competitions.
Personal Life
Kapil Dev wedded Romi Bhatia in 1980, and they have a daughter, Amiya Dev. Kapil had a heart attack in October 2020 and was successfully treated through angioplasty. He recovered and continues to be engaged in various activities.
Books and Media Appearances
Books have been written by Kapil Dev, amongst which are his autobiography "Straight from the Heart" and "We, The Sikhs," which delves into Sikh heritage. His personal life and career in cricket have been depicted in the 2021 Bollywood film "83" where actor Ranveer Singh played his role, sharing his inspiring tale to a new audience.
Records and Awards
•First to achieve 200 ODI wickets.
•Single cricketer to have scored over 400 wickets and over 5,000 runs in Test cricket.
•Received Padma Shri (1982) and Padma Bhushan (1991) awards.
•Included as Wisden Indian Cricketer of the Century in 2002.
•Chosen for ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2010.
Legacy
Kapil Dev's contribution to cricket has been immense. His captaincy at the 1983 World Cup instilled in Indian cricket a sense of hope and aspiration. As an all-rounder, his statistics testify to his excellence and commitment. Even post-retirement, his presence in different capacities has continued to impact the game. Kapil Dev is still a respected name, a symbol of resilience, greatness, and the power of sports to change lives.
