Amazing...I never knew this...

Thanks for enlightening...I belong to one of those generation which missed watching kapil play :(

That's why he is the Indian Cricketer of the century. He is the greatest Indian Cricketer ever no doubt about that. A trier, a leader, an all-rounder and a cricketer indeed and in need.

It is really amazing. I don't know why none has recognized this. You guys have done a good job.

I grew up watching him. I knew he had great strike rate. I would eagerly wait for him to come and bat. Greatest cricketer of all time.

Amazing stuff... and I relished this piece more because I think I know the bloggers - we all did our time working for a well known company in TVT in Chennai in the 80s.... Quite simply the most natural athlete to grace Indian cricket. Pity that he is being treated so shabbily by the BCCI.

Best Allrounder ever to play CRICKET :)

Excellent and well-written article. Specially liked the fact how it had stats as well as meaty argument, and not merely one or the other.

As a perennial Kapil Dev fan I have to admit I knew some of it(that he was never run out in a Test) but still surprised me with his rotating strike rate. Most of the games where I watched he would be out of the block with 33 off 29 deliveries with a six and a couple of fours but now when I look back his high scoring rate was as much due to run stealing as it was with big hitting. A natural athlete who was the most complete all-rounder I have seen. He would hold his own against anyone in any format, even today.

You were right on the money when you say he was way ahead of his time.

briliant wrk............gr8 stats coverd here

The best all-rounder... it was amazing... to watch his batting and bowling...

Thanks so much for highlighting this. Indeed, I was aware of Kapil's incredible record for having never been run out. The missing of the match due to politics is also known ( although I'd insist, Courtney Walsh can rival him there ). But the stats about his strike rotation and rest does some up the genius that was him!

I think

Kapil Dev is the most natural cricketer ever to play cricket.player like him is only born once in millenium.

Very Happy to read this article. You will be surprised to know that nothing surprise me in this article to me and my big brother Nilesh. We were fortunate enough to follow Kapil's these 2 great qualities (not recognized by many) live while following the matches and also discuss them at length.

I watch the game purely for the enjoyment it gives me, never paying any attention to the statistics. But the facts that he was never run out in his test career or that he never missed a test due to being unfit, have impressed me even more than before. Thank you both for this gem of an information.

I am so happy you brought this out, supported with numbers! I had always maintained this idea, but just on the basis of watching him play. I had also noticed that Kapil used to always take a single off the first ball he faced, in all circumstances. This way he got to get a feel for the bowler, pitch and to observe the field in general while he settled down. (Ok, I dunno how to support this with figures, or even if it was factually correct, but that's my memory speaking). And yes, another is that it was a pleasure to watch when Kapil and Gavaskar were at the crease : their running between was in pure tandem. I am willing to wager that their partnerships were full of brisk running, and may not have a single run-out of either.

Thanks for this truly investigative reporting :-)!

And to end - anybody remember that whenever Kapil stepped on the field with a bat, he'd look up and locate the position of the sun. Another way of orienting himself!

When he is at the wicket while chasing, I always felt any target is achievable. Personaly I haven't felt that even when tendulkar was at the crease. No disrespect to Master Blaster, but Kapil can demolish any bowling attacks and score marginally higher in this aspect.

Is it just me??
some of the best hitters in world cricket have their name in this list!!
Guess they had substance to go along with the flash!!

The one and only genuine Allrounder for India. (My definition of a genuine Allrounder is someone who can be picked either by virtue of his batting or bowling alone anyday).In that sense, there is no one else for India till now. and added to that his brilliant fitness for an absolute pace bowler is just mind boggling.

Kapil has to be the most 'athletic' Indian ever to have played the game. A fantastic all-rounder. However, I agree with Imran Khan who once said that Kapil 'underachieved' with the bat.

excellent record.Kapil is a world class performer.I have had the previledge of witnessing Kapil in action in aone day match against the west Indies in Albion,Berbice,Guyana.He hit 71 off 39 balls against HOLDING,Marshall,Roberts and Winston Davis.Kapil also took two wickets including a blisterig return catch to dismiss a rampant Greenidge.I was mesmerised by this awesome performance.This game in fact marks aturning point in indian cricket.Besides being the first time that India beat the WI in an ODI,it also give India the self beleif that beat anyone,hence their victory in the 1983 WORLD CUP.Kapil is arguably the best alrounder-above Imran ,Botham,Hadlee and Chris Crairns.This presrnt Indian team needs a quality alrounder like Kapil.

Another thing about Kapil, which you briefly touched upon, was fielding. He was a versatile fielder at home both in the slips as well as in the outfield. As a slip he had fantastic reflexes and as an outfielder he used to be fast across the turf and had a fantastic throwing arm. His throws were fast,flat and accurate.When you see the likes of RP Singh, Nehra, Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel and even Zaheer plod after the ball and lob it back it makes you wince!A reason why India won the 1983 World Cup was because it had great fielders like Kapil, Binny, Madan Lal, Amarnath,Yashpal Sharma & Srikkanth etc who saved a lot of runs and put pressure on the opposition, Unfortunately, that is not so with many of the younger crop of players. Of course there are exceptions like Rohit Sharma,Raina , Jadeja & Badrinath but mostly fielding has been a general let down for the team!

Quite an interesting analysis. Just curious as how the analysis would pan out if the length of time per inning Kapil stayed on the crease was factored in each of the above aspects?

Great Article!!! Kapil is THE most well-rounded (ability/talent/fearlessness/enterprising/motivating_team/leader/humble/unassuming/honest/patriotic... etc) cricketer - India ever produced and is the inspiration for India to produce more such humble and fearless cricketers. Kapil will be remembered for generations to come. We will need folks like you to research more such incredible facets of of Kapil Dev... as he brought more than sheer ability and power and fearlessness to the team. He created self-belief in the team and folks like Ganguly and Dhoni follow his example to some extent to attain success.

I grew up idolizing him and was fortunate to have witnessed his heroics on more than one occasion. He was a cricketer par excellence! One of the all time greats, who have graced this wonderful game called 'Cricket'. Hat's off to him.

Truly a magnificent Cricketer who laid the groundwork for the numero uno position in Tests India is enjoying today. It was a privilege to grow up watching this champion cricketer at the peak of his prowess. Not only a legendary cricketer, he was a role model for many of the cricket loving youth of India.

I suspected this all along. He remains to this day the only athlete-cricketer India has produced. There were certainly others that were faster than him, but he remains the only one with the complete package of ability, talent, dedication and motivation. Had he not been dropped unceremoniously for the only test that he missed out during his playing career, he would have played 132 tests on the trot. That alone speaks volumes about his fitness and athletic ability. It is a pity that BCCI does not seem to respect him much.

Such a welcome piece on the incomparable Kapil. On sheer talent alone, he should rate higher than Sunny and Sachin! What he couldn't do....bowl sharp swing with fantastic bowling strike rate until the fateful knee operation, jauntily hit sixes, booming-those glorious full swing of the bat-drives, rasping cuts, wonderful pick n throws and an All rounder in truest sense of the term. Though Botham has more 100s and Imran has better average....did anyone score/hit so thrillingly....remember his assault on Marshall, Holding, Garner, Roberts in Port of Spain 83-scoring 100 of 90 odd deliveries against THAT attack. Yes keen observers/spectators marvelled at Kapil fluid running between the wickets. A case in point...1989 test against New Zealand at Hyderabad...he and Azhar ran kiwis ragged and had a century partnership in no time....commentators then spoke exclusively on Kapil's running between the wicks for some time. Kapil da jawaab nahin!

Kapil's impact on Indian cricket is immense as he played when India's outlook was very defensive. He had the talent and sportsmanship to back his assertiveness with both bat and ball. Paji was superb!

hmm u shud probably try ppl coming in at the tail end of an ODI innings ...not regular batsmen up the order..a la Robin singh, Kaif, dravid when playing at the finisher position in ODI's, keepers like Kiran more, nayan mongia..etc..

He was a naturally trained Cricketer in that aspect (I don't think he over-used the gym) so the present fast bowlers must understand this that more bowling alone can keep them fit and not time at the gym.

Kapil Dev remains even today one of the most remarkable cricketer in the game's history.

Walsh with 132 Tests played just one more Test than Kapil.

Walsh, Kallis, McGrath, Akram, Pollock, Botham, Ambrose, Sobers, Willis are the only fast bowlers to have been part of as many Tests as 90 Tests.

But we all know that all the above bowlers had troubles with injuries in their career. But not Kapil!

And what's more Kapil led his team, his bowling attack etc for years!

Even in this new-age of cricket he never ceases to amaze!

I have seen him play, indeed Azhar and Kapil were sprinters... the coolest between the wickets, then only Sachin came in, I had just started understanding the game then.
But about the other facets mentioned, I never new them.
Thank You!

Oh, that's brilliant work. I was subconsciously accepting the fact that he is one of the best sportsmen in cricket without going into the details. Just enjoyed watching him on TV while he was around and needless to say miss him at present. No wonder people always visualise him with a crown around his head:-)

made my heart very happy to hear sthg abt kapil after so many yrs. thanks.

Kapil is the greatest cricketer and great human being. His alertness in all the departments, batting, bowling, fielding, running between the wickets are all an education to many generations and his never say die spirit and his fitness will I hope never be matched by anyone.

Amazing. Thats why he is All time Great in all respects . Pl publish this information in newspapers.
Thanks for revealing.

i never knew you could gather such statistics with numbers... awesome!

Very interesting article...Thank you for digging these facts out and presenting them to us so well. This is why I look forward to your articles.

Kapil Dev da jawab nahin. He was one of my favourite cricketers during my school / college days. I think our youngsters have a lot to learn from him. Will never forget the 1983 World Cup. Loved reading your very succinctly put together article on this great icon

KAPIL DEV NIKHANJ is no doubt is the best ever all-rounder that the world has ever seen. He is maintining his stamina by regular practice of Yoga and disciplined habits

Love to read more on Kapil..I have grown up watching him.A legend in all sense.He was grace personified.Remember the ease with which he used to pick up & throw in a single action from the outfield.The way he batted ,the way he came back in 1992 series in Australia picking up 25 wickets ,his 129 in South Africa against quality bowlers in 92, the way he lead the team,the series in England in 86 where he scored tons of runs in quick time & outplayed Botham ..all makes him a great & worldclass cricketer.

He has inspired many to turn up as fast bowlers & credit to him that we have so many of them turning up now..I can recall Imrans comments,had he taken up batting much more seriously & only concentrated on that,he could have outscored Gavaskar.

very refreshing article. I am a great fan of Kapil. Certainly i appreciate whats written over here.

Kapil Dev,Indian cricket's first pan India superstar.

Thanks so much for highlighting this. Indeed, I was aware of Kapil's incredible record for having never been run out. The missing of the match due to politics is also known ( although I'd insist, Courtney Walsh can rival him there ). But the stats about his strike rotation and rest does some up the genius that was him!

Ah, but Kapil didn't have a certain Saurav Ganguly as his batting parner!!!

A really distinctive article on the original Paaji! Reminded me of a hilarious Kapil Dev run-out during the 1991-92 World Series Cup in Australia. Kapil was an instinctive runner, as the article notes. In a preliminary-round ODI against Border's Aussies (known for their razor-sharp fielding), he set out for one such habitual single. To his shock, he skidded, found himself momentarily airborne with both feet in the air, and fell on his posterior outside the batting crease. The wicketkeeper (David Boon) gleefully received the ball and ran him out. Almost all the Aussie fielders were in splits. It was one of those rare occasions when Kapil was run out.

I was unfortunately too young to see Kapil Dev in his prime. Interesting analysis though there is one (minor) issue.

You definine "rotating strike rate" as non-boundary runs scored per ball ie. no 4's or 6's. But there is a reason why modern batsmen don't have high rotating strike rates. Smaller grounds, stronger bats and the advent of T20 have made all batsmen more boundary hitting, even the Australians who are known to rotate the strike.

It is easy in the 80's to have a high rotating strike rate if you played regularly on the huge MCG since there were so many 3's and the boundary strike rate would be quite low. This is just an example but it shows that you have to take the above analysis with a grain of salt.

This doesn't make Kapil Dev a lesser batsman of course. He is still India's best ever cricketer. But note that Hussey and Dhoni would have had a higher RS if they played in the 80's because of bigger grounds, etc.

Just did a quick check: Tendulkar's runout rate in matches "involving" Ganguly is 7.8%. In matches not "involving" Ganguly it drops to 6.7%.
Actually,I suspect that the number of times Tendulkar has gotten out directly due to the bumbling of Ganguly must be quite a few (referring to memory)

I always thought he did not take his batting seriously. With his prodigious talent and technique, it's a wonder that he did not average in the mid-40s in tests. I am also sure he could easily have scored twenty test 100s had he put in the effort.

The best cricketer ever from Indian cricket..Regarding this article,it is very interesting and at the same time pointout the facts which are unnoticed about this Legend.

Thank you for enlightening readers that kapil is the greatest cricketer ever played for India and best-allround cricketer for world cricket. I have seen him playing and remember the kind of belief people had in him when he used to be on crease. whatever be the situation, weather he is bowling or batting, we always knew that he could take us out from hole and he did many of time. The only sad part is not many now give credit to him for success of indian cricket. He was the real tiger and very competitive on field. He was a very good fielder also and i don't remember he ever dropped any catch, infact he made some of the toughest catch look so easy. I have no doubt he is a legend and ahead of sachin or gavaskar, actually nobody comes close to him if he looks at his competitiveness and toughness on field. He was truly ahead of time and even half of his cricketing abilities and competitiveness, new generation players have, India can again win world cup.

Wonderfully original piece. Wish I had written it. Thanks a ton.

you have forgotten an important facet of kapil. stunning pick up and throws with a flat arc. always thudding into the keeper. always drawing claps. he had multiple abilities and great style. you will be surprised to know that on purely abilities on display, he might be the closest to a complete cricketer than most.

Great job guys!!!
Very true. i heard from my father about the running between the wickets of Kapil, but the fact and comparison u have provided is amazing.
I guess he never bowled a 'No ball'.. Can u throw some light on it.

Great job guys!!!
Very true. i heard from my father about the running between the wickets of Kapil, but the fact and comparison u have provided is amazing.
I guess he never bowled a 'No ball'.. Can u throw some light on it.

going by sachin's stats his rotating strike rate is 47.88 which is one of the best,i don't get why sachin is left out in the above analysis

One very strong aspect of Kapil was his fitness level. Even in those days, he maintained a good physique, never looked tired. Unlike, today's modern cricketers, he never lost his pace for most of his entire career. Strike rate of over 95 in ODIs in that era speaks of his volume. Gavaskar once said," Kapil was such a talent, he could play for India as a batsman, even if he had not been a bowler".
He was a player with tremendous zeal inside him,always prepared to win. I wonder if India find an all-rounder of Kapil's calibre. Over the years, we have found ODI or T-20 specialist average all-rounders, but not a genuine all rounder like Kapil who can single handedly win Test matches for the team.

That is really amazing......I was not aware of that fact. I really believe that he could be a great coach for the Indian Team. If he becomes the coach, the team will do wonders under him for sure....I just wish that BCCI opens its eyes and look beyond money and personal rifts...!!

That is really amazing......I was not aware of that fact. I really believe that he could be a great coach for the Indian Team. If he becomes the coach, the team will do wonders under him for sure....I just wish that BCCI opens its eyes and look beyond money and personal rifts...!!

And I thought there are no statistics about Kapil that I am not aware off! This is an eye-opener. Thanks!!

Cricket was so natural to Kapil, and he is the best all rounder, perhaps the world has seen. Brilliant in all aspects of the came - Bowling, Fielding, Batting, Leadership, and now we have seen a new dimension of him, which has been brought out through this article.

Great Cricketer indeed,

Brilliant piece of article, which is really a pleasant surprise, to all Kapil's fans

Cricket was so natural to Kapil, and he is the best all rounder, perhaps the world has seen. Brilliant in all aspects of the came - Bowling, Fielding, Batting, Leadership, and now we have seen a new dimension of him, which has been brought out through this article.

Great Cricketer indeed,

Brilliant piece of article, which is really a pleasant surprise, to all Kapil's fans

The only thing that is conveniently ignored is he only had a 30 run batting average while all the others had a much better average. Hussey, Miandad ETC.

The finest Indian cricketer ever. His natural athleticism, sense of timing, hand-eye coordination and innate sense of the game was brilliant. I grew up watching him play some magnificent innings in Test Matches at Chepauk some of them with the authors of this piece.

In addition, he was definitely the best all-round fielder amongst the big-4 all-rounders of his time. Botham was a better slipper but Kapil was a better all-round fielder.

kapil dev is no doubt the best cricketer for india till date..he was an athlete..hence naturally a sharp and agile fielder and marvellous batsman apart from the fact that he was best indian bowler till date..all these are one thing but they only dont make a legend..what was in him was a passion for the country,sportism at its best,honesty towards game and country..even a fraction of that is lacking in modern day cricket.what he says even today on television is something straight and true,just because he cant utter politician statements,he is not in circles of bcci..this is bitter truth.though i am not from his generation i have watched many of his matches on tv and his passion..aggression..integrity in every match.hope our cricketers learn something from paji,sachin and dravid how to respect the game and country not only acting cool.

Well i'm someone still wondering why the haryana hurricane is yet to get the privileged surname of 'sir'.Thank u cricinfo for this excellent article and the fact remains that kapil is a very good bowler,an under performed batsman and the most dangerous all-rounder.This article is surely a stand out evidence.please continue the good work.i would like to see such articles on gundappa vishwanath,azhar and wasim akram

Well i'm someone still wondering why the haryana hurricane is yet to get the privileged surname of 'sir'.Thank u cricinfo for this excellent article and the fact remains that kapil is a very good bowler,an under performed batsman and the most dangerous all-rounder.This article is surely a stand out evidence.please continue the good work.i would like to see such articles on gundappa vishwanath,azhar and wasim akram

he was briilant captain,bowler,batsman and human.
he was one of the greatest cricketer.

A true Indian with strongest will power and no ill-will tendecy for whom we can be proud of.

reams of pages have been used up glorifying the fantastic son of India... forget the hundreds and five plus wickets, I still remember his 26 n.o. against west Indies in Chennai, when India was looking to its defeat with 97 for 7, needing 126 or, came Kapil, 26 n.o. in 17 balls !!! It was dream come true!! Shame on you BCCI

Another incredible facet of his game was his catching and fielding. I never saw Kapil dive because of his footwork and anticipation he would be at the right place at the right time. He was awesome from slips to the outfield. He did not have a long stint at slips because of the need to hide players like Vishy and Sunny. I also vividly remember his razor sharp throw right over the stumps from the deep caverns of MCG. Only Craig Mcdermott and Binny could rival his throwing ability. He was all in all a natural cricketer who took genius label lightly. Very few like him can be seen today in the overcoached cricketing world.

I've had the privilege and pleasure of watching Kapil bat on numerous occasions at Chepauk, the best one had to be his hundred against odds in the tied test in 1986, he came in on the 3rd day evening and had Shastri at the other end and with the side perilously placed against a mammoth 1st innings score of aussies, he grafted his way around to 28 not out, on the 4th morning, Mcdermott bounced one at him which he imperiously hooked for a four, that opened him up, what followed was a repertoire of unbelievable shots all around the wicket and at lunch he was unbeaten on 119 and India had scrambled to safety and could make aussies bat again... Be it 40 for 4 or 400 for 4, Kapil knew only one way to bat, the ball is there to be hit.. and few were better than him

yes truily it is very interesting article on the great kapil's unique character,his hidden qualities which places him to the pinacle of successful all-rounders.the article was quite mesmerising

It's HIDDEN RECORD!!

I am a die-heart fan of Kapil Dev.

Thanks for updating us.

When I start watching cricket i was only 15 or 16, anyways let me tell you how i come to know about kapil, it was the winter of 1979/80 when pakistan visit india for 6 test match series and kapil already show this world that he is arrived,and i am talking the match happend in Madras kapil would have made this record at that point to got 100 and 10 wickets but it was not to be because he got out lbw to Imran i guess but india won this test match and at that point i knew that he is going to be a very good allrouder for india, after that he gave many priceless performences and give many win's to india. By the way who could forgot that on painkillers he bowled out Australia on very low score of 87, and who could forgot that india is on the verge of follow on and need 24 runs and he was with last man and he hit 4 sixe's to english bowler well i don't have much space to write about him but anyways he is the India's pride the only one who brought the world cup to india, number one for india.

arguably the greatest cricketer India ever produced. I started following cricket regularly after his 175 not out against zimbabwe. He is the best. Cricket has become more popular in india only because of him (his efforts in world cup 1983 & WCC in 1985). But unfortunately BCCI is trating him badly. Hell with BCCI bunch of jokers.

I adore this man for his simplicity and the way by which he ensured there was equality in the entire team, unlike few of his political predecessors. And another amazing point to be noted is none of the comments to the article were deregatory or negative and no other cricketer can ever have invited such a positivity.

Very good article. It reminds about me following cricket only because of this legend 20 to 30 years back. More than ODI's I like him playing test cricket and hit those quick fire runs along with Kirmani, who would be the partner on most of the occasions he comes on to bat. Good Statistics.

Superb article! I think a couple of things should be borne into mind while comparing Kapil's stats with modern day cricketers: firstly, boundaries were much larger, especially in Australia those days. One actually had to hit the ball into the crowd for a six which means a 90 m hit! Imagine how much more Kapil could have scored in today's smaller grounds! Plus, there were I believe no restriction on the bouncer in ODI's, at least in the 1980's and till 1985's World Series Cricket, not many restrictions on field placings too! Finally, Kapil never got to face the second weakest bowling attack of the 1980's: India! In the 80's, there was pretty much no other bowler barring Kapil in the team: sure we had inspiring spells from Doshi, Binny, Chetan Sharma, Maninder Singh, Prabhakar and co. but they were far and few between. No other team barring Sri Lanka I believe had such a poor bowling attack then.
Kapil's low average of 23 I believe should be interpreted, bearing this context in mind.

a fantastic cricketer like kapil is never going to come again for the whole cricket community.it's realy a privilege to have a player like him.he is never been given the due importance like a sachin or gavaskar.

But then his batting average is merely 23 or so and pretty ordinary, much less than the all rounders with whom you have compared and there goes your logic for a toss.

Wonderful article, and a great job of acknowledging a true genius. I once recall watching Kapil scoring reaching 50 runs in an ODI innings off only 35 balls without hitting a single four or a six. Even as a kid I was truly amazed.

This note does not surprise me at all. Although Kapil would always see himself primarily as a bowling all rounder, he had some tremendous batting feats to his credit. He is certainly one of the ten best batsmen India has ever produced. I wish he could prolong his career in one-dayers purely as a batsman and play the world cup in 1996 in India. Kapil the legend, we salute you ...

One of the legend he brough this much grace to watch cricket. I never known in my memory that anyobody else contributed to the Indian cricket. Nice article those who watched more closely his game known very well about his qualities. He only started winning habit speacially in one dayers. He is having some unique qualities that most of the others doesn't have.

Well i grown up watching this legend on TV. I was knowwing that he was never run out once in tests. as a great fan of him, i still regret that he got only 8 test centuries, perhaps he was little bit of underachiever in batting.

Kapil Dev is the mastermind behind the idea of league matches (ICL)in cricket with the chanceless youth cricketers and retired ones but still have the drive.. But BCCI had stolen his idea and implemented it with the current players in all teams with loads of attractive stuff which were really abusive,.. (Players were exhausted and couldnt perform well in international matches) BCCI had so pride of its success of IPL but which is really a shame as Kapil as a single man opposing BCCI supporting politicians couldnt succeed much & also because of the ignorance of cricket fans, where they longed idiotically to see IPL (even I was one among them but still i insisted everyone i knew it s kapil's idea but my msg was not a matter at all cos people were blindfolded with cheergals, crackers & Juke box, which made BCCI smile cunningly @ Kapil when he suffered to give salaries to the ICL players, but whatever None couldnt & Shouldn't forget wat he has achieved for India!

Kapil is beyond doubt the best All Rounder India have ever produced. I had noticed a few of the facts mentioned in your article, but never thought of jotting it down. Thank you for such a good article.

Kapil is beyond doubt the best All Rounder India have ever produced. I had noticed a few of the facts mentioned in your article, but never thought of jotting it down. I had heard the name "Kapil Dev" even before I heard the term "Cricket". Thank you for such a good article.

Excellent piece on Kapil -the natural cricketer and born athelete.I always admired the way he made bowling,batting and fielding so easy.Thanks for bringing out the nuggets about his strike-rate and
his unique record for not having got run out ever in Test cricket.

Kapil Dev was and is the best Cricketer to have ever played for India. It is going to take a very very long time before we can find a replacement for him. I have grown up watching him and he is a GEM OF PUREST RAY SERENE!. I openly challenge any crickter in the world - present, if they can take the catch he took of Vivian Richards in the 1983 world Cup. It was a difficult catch, because Kapil knew the whole world was watching him , that he should not drop the catch. If he had dropped the catch, we would have still been longing for our 1st World Cup Win. But he was so cool and shut out any chances of the Great Vivian Richards & West Indies Team from taking the world Cup. There are so many instances where he has produced great innings for India, at home and abroad. It is a real shame that BCCI have completely ignored him and not utilising his rich resources and experience. If we have Kapil as a Coach, he can definetely serve as a Bowling, Fielding Coach. BCCI should reinstate this Great.

Kapil Dev was and is the best Cricketer to have ever played for India. It is going to take a very very long time before we can find a replacement for him. I have grown up watching him and he is a GEM OF PUREST RAY SERENE!. I openly challenge any crickter in the world - present, if they can take the catch he took of Vivian Richards in the 1983 world Cup. It was a difficult catch, because Kapil knew the whole world was watching him , that he should not drop the catch. If he had dropped the catch, we would have still been longing for our 1st World Cup Win. But he was so cool and shut out any chances of the Great Vivian Richards & West Indies Team from taking the world Cup. There are so many instances where he has produced great innings for India, at home and abroad. It is a real shame that BCCI have completely ignored him and not utilising his rich resources and experience. If we have Kapil as a Coach, he can definetely serve as a Bowling, Fielding Coach. BCCI should reinstate this Great.

An excellent article, brings me smile and remember the day the legend lifting the "PRUDENTIAL CUP". Truly a great Sports Person.Regarding his fitness, the legend says "A PACE BOWLER SHOULD THROW THE BALL TO THE WICKET FROM THE BOUNDRY ROPES ATLEAST 100 TIMES BEFORE START OF EVERY MATCH DAY" - thus was the training.

what a wonderful article it is ...

Kapil is a world class LEGEND. He could bat , bowl, field, run , catch and throw and was a natural leader. He would smile and aleways tried his heart out for 100%. He was an inspiration to millions . for the shear pleasure he brought to the faces of millions of his fans. He was respected by everyone even the opposition. Wish he would be knighted by the Queen for his services to Cricket.

wonderful informative matter.I have one more reason to admire and salute this great sportsperson.Kapil dev a true icon.
thanks and wish him good health and luck and look forward to see him giving his advices to the current cricket stars.

THANKS! i have always believed that kapil dev is the greatest cricketer India has ever produced. simple in his approach, lion hearted, natural and fit sportsman who would have excelled at any sport- with his keen eye and amazing reflexes. His abiding memory in ODIs was that he would come in, nudge the ball along, and get out for a brisk 25 to 30 at a run a ball with a 6 and a couple of 4s. His opening spell was almost always 5-2-8-1 or something like that- and each ball bowled with such grace! He was a natural athlete, with a great bowling action- and that is why he never broke down! No tennis elbow et al! Truly, Kapil da jawab nahin!

that 175 versus zimbabwe was special

It is a very interesting and underrated aspect of Kapil devs game. I must say that Kapil had so much abilty with the bat, that eventually he achieved far less than he should have. When he came in to the Indian team he already was a seasoned batsman and should have really developed into a serious competitor to gary Sobers as the all time great all-rrounder.Sadly his batting didnt develop as it should have and he was for the best part of his career a bowler who would contribute with the bat. I dont think he would make it to the team on the basis of his batting ability alone- a trait that Sobers had.
Its still does not take anythign away from the man and his immense contribution to Indian cricket. It was he who actually transformed India from a side that could draw tests to a lethal side on its day. That the Indian team is now No.1 ranked in Tests must be most satisfying to Kapil.

I am a big admire of Kapil. he is Indian Cricketer of the Century but the statics you have mentioned is a relative factor. (As the mater of fact most stats are relative factor). Batsman coming as a opener can wait for some time to settle down and then start to score runs. this is true until mid 90's, after that batsman start hitting boundaries in first over itself. Naturally striking rate and rotations rates are effected.

Also please note all the batsman coming at 5th or 6th positions can"t wait to settle. they need to hit a single or 2 in the first ball they face.

So there are some factors which made the stats higher for Kapil are 1) He played at times where grounds very bigger 2) his batting Positions 3) he played at times where they were no power plays 4) Also remember he is Finisher and not a opener.

nevertheless. Kapil kha jawab nahi hey.. he is India's beloved son.

The best allrounder India has ever had. Fearless batsman, the best bowler India has ever produced, only Indian cricketer with good physic, mentally tough, great athlete, the best innings of 175*, faced many fearsome bowlers, blasted many bowlers all around the ground, the only player who made and played almost individually to win 1975 world cup. when Kapil starts hitting other work is swtiched off, got less marks in education because of him because of crazy about cricket

If statistics of the day are available, we would like to know how many of the runs that are not from boundaries are from singles, twos and threes. I always used to wonder the ease with which he got twos, and I remember an over in which he ran 5 twos. That, I think, can be put down to his sense of timing, placement, and running hard between the wickets.

Nice to read such well written articles.

fully agreed..i noticed this when i used to watch him during his time; seemed to have a rhythmic approach to everything he did which made things look easier..like being a good catcher in slips as well as a great out-fielder.

Kapil remains the best .. so simple despite his achievements. Tendulkar and Sehwag are like him. Sadly, some others are not.

Simply the greatest of all the cricketers.Used to listen and watch when Kapil is playing.Lucky to see his two of centuries at Chennai against West Indies and Australia.

Kapil is genius and is the best cricketer India has ever produced, he could have done much better in batting, he is best all rounder at par with Sobers, an uncut diamond, but was denied the space he deserves to make room for wily Mumbaites

Kapil is an idol and I thought I know everything about him as I followed and chased his records madly. But I never knew that he was never run out in this whole test career. brillient article on a legendry criketer.

I loved the article. The authors have this lovely ability to connect to the reader..their narrative is such that I felt they were talking to me across the table! Also, the transition between the two authors seem very seamless and as one voice.

I attended the Chennai test against the Aussies that the article refers to, and it was AMAZING to watch Kapil blaze through the glorious innings.

Looks for to the next blog already!
Shwetha

this article is a treat. Giridhar and Raghunath are making a name for themselves on cricinfo with their knowledgeable and delightful writing style. One looks forward to their next post every time.

Ohhh, i feel a bit proud 're reading' this article and the 1,000 comments which followed which showed how much respected this legend is. Kapil Dev is a true sportsman, a captain who always lead the team from the front, a very simple and plain human being with no fear, a great patriot in the real sense. Words are not enough to describe the real hero ......... Just a thought of this legend brings inspiration

Zubair I agree with you completely.The writers have not mentioned that Kapil Dev has an average of just around 30 with the bat while Miandad and Hussey hasve much bigger averages.Thev have also not mentioned that Kapil Dev has 434 wickets while Miandad had just 17 and Hussey just 2.This article is not about averages but about little known facets about Kapil Dev,but ofcourse for those who want to find fault such things hardly matter.

Wonderful work and a great indept study analysis makes this article a deeply insightful piece on India's greatest cricketer ever. Arguably the greatest allrounder to have graced this game ever.
And consider that he did not have any bowling support at the other end. very few reasonable fielders, and as you rightly pointed very poor judgers of the single (except Gavaskar and Azhar), Kapil is truly one of the greatest player of our times and a legend of hte game. His only mistake is he spoke his heart out and took on the lobbies that have ruled the game in India. Pathetic to see that great man not being recognized by the Indian cricket today.

Kudos to the greatest cricketer India has ever produced......Batting, bowling, fielding u name it and he excels in each and every department of CRICKET.......A role model and an inspiration for all the budding cricketers!!!! Salute SIR KAPIL DEV