The cricketers voted him the “Greatest Indian Cricketer.” What better accolade could Kapil Dev have expected to put in perspective a glorious chapter in the history of the game. He was a match-winner with the bat and the ball, a one-man army, much respected by the opponents and much-admired by his colleagues.
Kapil was a natural. He could play football (turned out in a couple of games for East Bengal), table tennis, tennis, volleyball and, after retirement, showed his skills at golf. Today, he travels the world to give motivational lectures and squeezes in time for a round of golf. “Golf is an addiction,” he confesses. But so was cricket for the way he played it.
As captain, all-rounder, icon of the game, Kapil’s crowning moment came in 1983 when he led India to victory in the Prudential World Cup. That victory changed the face of Indian cricket and created a self-belief for the next generation. He was the happiest when India repeated the feat in 2011 in Mumbai. But Kapil and his team would be known forever or climbing the peak at Lord’s and ensuring that India also became a force in limited overs cricket.
His illustrious career was replete with many outstanding spells. In January 1980 in Chennai, his favourite venue, Kapil claimed four for 90 and seven for 56, to blow away Pakistan. Among his wickets were Mudassar Nazar, Sadiq Mohammad, Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad, Asif Iqbal, Wasim Bari and Imran Khan. In 1981, against Australia in Melbourne, he ignored a thigh injury and produced a scorching spell of five for 28 to skittle out the home team for 83. India, having conceded a first innings lead of 182 runs, won the Test by 59 runs. But a spell very close to his heart is the four for 26 to trigger Rest of India’s collapse in the second innings of the Irani Cup in 1991, which Haryana won by four wickets as he hit a quickfire 53 to follow his excellent bowling.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Tokyo Marathon Cancelled For Amateurs On Coronavirus Fears
Organisers in Japan cancelled the amateur portion of the Tokyo marathon, affecting around 38,000 runners, on fears about the spread of the new coronavirus in Japan.
Right Criteria To Pick The Tennis GOAT
What should the criteria be? What weight should be attached to each criterion? And what should not be considered as valid criteria?
The making of a batting behemoth
If Steve Smith dominated the Ashes in England in a dramatic, blockbuster fashion then his like for like a replacement, Marnus Labuschagne, is the Next Big Thing after an exciting summer of run-glut.
WHEN ACES WERE REWARDED...
It was an evening of nostalgia and celebration when the Sportstar Aces awards were given away in Mumbai.
A question of recognition
After a week of awards, one wonders if it’s only a departed player that one will be named after.
Thinking straight, thinking right!
“A lot depends on when I am bowling and what is required from me. That’s something I do when I play for India and I try to follow the same thing in the domestic circuit,” says Yuzvendra Chahal.
The Big Three and the Next Gen
Though the Big Three are very unlikely to retire during the same year, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, echoed the sentiments of many fans worried about the impact of their departures.
WAKING UP TO MENTAL HEALTH
Sport at large and cricket specifically has taken an inordinately long time to address the elephant in the room — the dark abyss of depression.
Like sunshine in a gloomy dressing room
Bangladesh quick Abu Jayed Rahi is new in the red-ball arena, but his swing brings back old memories — of James Anderson on green tops.
The league of the masses
With traditional clubs locking horns with the hard-working nurseries of the game, the I-League will continue to keep the beating heart of Indian football alive despite official apathy.
