Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev Ramlal Nikhanj, better known simply as Kapil Dev (born January 6, 1959, Chandigarh, India) was one of the best all-rounders of all-time and also a successful cricket captain for India. He led India to its only World Cup victory in 1983. In addition he held the record for the most Test match wickets, breaking Richard Hadlee’s record. He was one of the four great all-rounders in the world in the 1980s along with Ian Botham, Richard Hadlee, and Imran Khan. Kapil made his international cricket debut against Pakistan at Faisalabad in 1978.

As a bowler Kapil was notable for a graceful action and a potent outswinger and was India’s main strike bowler. As a batsman he was a natural striker of the ball and often helped India when in trouble, most famously on route to the World Cup finals at Lord’s when he smashed a Captain’s Knock of an unbeaten 175 against Zimbabwe helping India recover from a tenuous 5/17. He went on to lead India to a World Cup victory at the same tournament.

He played 131 Test matches and scored 5248 runs at an average of 31.05 including 8 centuries. He took 434 wickets at an average of 29.64. He was exceptionally fit, having never missed a match due to poor fitness.

A few years after he retired, he was accused by Manoj Prabhakar of having taken money to throw matches.