Kapil Dev (born 6 January 1959) is a former Indian cricketer, one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the game. He captained India to its first World Cup title in 1983, and at 24 he remains the youngest captain to win the tournament. He was a fast-medium bowler and hard-hitting batsman. He is the only player to have scored more than 5,000 runs and taken more than 400 wickets in Test cricket, and he once held the world record for Test wickets. In 2002 Wisden named him India’s Cricketer of the Century.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Kapildev Ramlal Nikhanj |
| Nickname | Haryana Hurricane |
| Born | 6 January 1959, Chandigarh, India |
| Age | 67 |
| Role | All-rounder: right-arm fast-medium bowler, right-handed batsman |
| International career | 1978–1994 |
| Test record | 5,000+ runs and 434 wickets |
| Spouse | Romi Dev (m. 1980) |
| Children | 1 (Amiya) |
| Known for | Captaining India to the 1983 World Cup, 175* vs Zimbabwe |
Early Life
Kapil Dev was born in Chandigarh into a Punjabi family whose roots were in present-day Pakistan. He trained under the coach Desh Prem Azad and made his first-class debut for Haryana in 1975, quickly becoming known for his pace, stamina and aggressive batting.
Career
Kapil Dev made his Test debut against Pakistan in 1978. At a time when India relied mostly on spin, he became the country’s first world-class fast bowler. He soon reached the Test “double” of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets faster than any player before him.
Kapil Dev was appointed captain in 1983, and at that year’s World Cup in England India were outsiders. Against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells, with India on 17 for 5, he struck an unbeaten 175, one of the greatest one-day innings ever played. In the final at Lord’s, India defended a low total to beat the two-time champions, the West Indies. His running catch to dismiss Viv Richards became famous. The win changed Indian cricket for ever. The story was retold in the 2021 film 83, with Ranveer Singh playing Kapil Dev.
Kapil Dev kept leading India’s attack for another decade. In 1994 he overtook Sir Richard Hadlee’s world record for Test wickets, finishing with 434, and he retired that year. He remains the only player with more than 5,000 runs and 400 wickets in Test cricket.
After Retirement
Kapil Dev coached the Indian team in 1999–2000. He left the post after being named in match-fixing allegations, of which a later CBI investigation cleared him. He has worked as a commentator and golf enthusiast. He has also appeared in cameo roles in films such as Iqbal and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi. He holds the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army. In October 2020 he recovered after treatment for a heart attack.
Personal Life
Kapil Dev married Romi Bhatia in 1980. Their daughter, Amiya, worked as an assistant director on the film 83.
Awards and Honours
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Kapil Dev born?
Kapil Dev was born on 6 January 1959 in Chandigarh, India and is 67 years old.
What is Kapil Dev known for?
Known for: Captaining India to the 1983 World Cup, 175* vs Zimbabwe.
Featured image: Kapil Dev at an event. Photo by CreativoCamaal (Lens Naayak Photography), licensed under CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
