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Kapil Dev | Biography, Stats, & Facts | Britannica

Kapil Dev, in full Kapil Dev Ramlal Nikhanj, (born January 6, 1959, Chandigarh, India), Indian cricketer and the greatest pace bowler in his country’s history. He is the only cricketer to have scored over 5,000 runs and taken more than 400 wickets in Test (international match) cricket.

By hanifPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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he 1983 World Cup winning team is the most iconic bunch of cricketers from India. It changed the face of Indian cricket and compelled the rest of the world to believe that teams from Asia can lay their hands on the trophy as well.

West Indies, England and Australia were the top guns of that period.

On this day, 37 years ago, India created history by defeating West Indies at Lord’s. Sportstar finds out what the 15 members of the side are doing amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Sunil Gavaskar: He is always watching cricket, analysing the game for the connoisseurs and the laymen. There can be no cricket involving India without his presence in the commentator’s box. His transition was the best and quickest, from cricketer to a media man. Few professional journalists can match his passion in writing sports columns. The lockdown period has confined him to his home in Mumbai but he has books for company. “He has borrowed some from me,” informs son Rohan.

K. Srikkanth: He was the star of the final at Lord’s. His square drive on bended knee and a flicked six were strokes to remember. He has been far more active after retirement. He was chairman of the Indian cricket board selection committee which picked the 2011 World Cup winning team and then he concentrated on a career in broadcasting. He has been a coach too but not for long. His restless nature was visible at the crease. He is a calmer soul off it.

K. Srikkanth and Kapil Dev share a light moment during an event to promote 1983, the film. - M. VEDHAN

Mohinder Amarnath: The man who can be never be perturbed. Can never be put under pressure. If hit on the chin, trust him to send the next ball into the stands. After retirement, he preferred the busy life of Mumbai and did coaching at the Khar Gymkhana before setting up his own full-fledged academy at Baroda. He served a year as national selector before falling out with board because he would not toe the line of an influential official. He called a spade a spade. He has chosen to spend time with his family in Goa.

READ| Ranveer Singh pulls off Kapil Dev's iconic 'Natraj' shot

Yashpal Sharma: After the World Cup success, he was hailed as a match-winner but went out of favour. He played an ODI in January 1985. First-class cricket kept him busy for the next eight years and he also played for the State Bank of India team. Coaching and umpiring kept him connected with the game before he became a national selector. Like most players of his generation, he found work in the media and loves his work with India TV. The pandemic has kept him indoors.

Sandeep Patil: “I am in Lavasa,” declares the man who devastated Dennis Lillee and Bob Willis with furious assaults in Test matches. “Lavasa has not reported a single COVID-19 case and it is the best place to be.” He is spending time with his family, including grandchildren, shuttling between Mumbai and Lavasa, nestling in a valley. With no media work or coaching to do, he is happy to relax in the serene surroundings. Patil is also the official cook at the villa. “It’s raining so can’t have barbecue,” he laments.

Former India cricketer Sandeep Patil at his villa in Lavasa. - SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Kirti Azad: A multi-faceted personality. A cricketer, activist, politician, media expert, he has loved every role. He was a sort of rebel as a player too. He always made his point clear. After retirement, he stayed in touch with the game as national selector and did television work for some years. Politics was in his blood and soon, he was off to serve his people in Darbangha. Lok Sabha beckoned him and he was immersed in a career away from cricket. As a person with strong ideas to fight for justice, he continues to pursue his political dreams but spares time for cricket with his crusade against corruption in Delhi & District Cricket Association.

READ| The 1983 World Cup in numbers

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