Kapil Dev Ramlal Nikhanj, also known as Kapil Dev, is a former Indian cricketer and a legendary all-rounder. He was born on January 6, 1959, in Chandigarh, India. Kapil Dev is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers in the history of Indian cricket. He played for the Indian cricket team for over 16 years and captained the team for six years. He is also the first Indian player to score over 5,000 runs and take over 400 wickets in Test cricket.
Early Life and Cricket Career:
Kapil Dev was born in Chandigarh, Punjab. His father, Ram Lal Nikhanj, was a building and timber contractor, and his mother, Raj Kumari, was a homemaker. Kapil Dev attended D.A.V. School, Sector 8, and later joined St. Joseph’s School, Chandigarh, where he developed an interest in cricket. He played for the school team and was eventually selected for the Punjab Under-19 team.
Kapil Dev made his debut for the Indian cricket team in 1978, at the age of 19. He quickly established himself as a talented all-rounder, with the ability to both bat and bowl at a high level. He was known for his fast bowling, which was both accurate and deadly, and his aggressive batting style.
In 1982, Kapil Dev was appointed as the captain of the Indian cricket team. Under his leadership, India won the World Cup in 1983, which was a historic moment for Indian cricket. Kapil Dev’s innings of 175 not out against Zimbabwe in the same tournament is still considered one of the greatest innings in the history of One Day International cricket.
In 1994, Kapil Dev retired from international cricket after playing 131 Test matches and 225 One Day Internationals. He finished his career with 5,248 runs and 434 wickets in Test cricket and 3,783 runs and 253 wickets in One Day Internationals.
Post-Cricket Career:
After retiring from cricket, Kapil Dev became a cricket commentator and a coach. He also ventured into business and became the owner of a restaurant chain, ‘Kapil’s Eleven.’ In 2008, he was appointed as the coach of the Indian Cricket League team, Chandigarh Lions. However, the league was not recognized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and Kapil Dev resigned from his position.
In 2010, Kapil Dev was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, which recognizes the achievements of the greatest cricketers in history. He was also awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 1991.
In 2020, a biopic titled ’83’ was released, which tells the story of India’s historic win in the 1983 World Cup. Kapil Dev was played by actor Ranveer Singh in the movie.
Personal Life:
Kapil Dev married Romi Bhatia in 1980. They have a daughter, Amiya Dev, who is a budding filmmaker. Kapil Dev is also a passionate golfer and has participated in several golf tournaments. He is known for his philanthropic work and has supported various causes over the years.
Conclusion:
Kapil Dev is an iconic figure in Indian cricket and a true legend of the game. He inspired a generation of cricketers and played a key role in putting Indian cricket on the world map. His achievements on the cricket field are unparalleled, and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the sport.
