There really have been a handful of personalities in the world sports arena who can be considered true mavericks,Kapil Dev Nikhanj

is one such name whose contribution to World cricket in general and Indian cricket in particular is beyond the realm of figures.He debuted in an era where India was known for it’s world class spinners and when he exited the international arena any kid anywhere in India who wanted to bowl wanted to bowl fast and bowl like him.He played more than half his cricket on gentle unresponsive Indian pitches and yet became the highest wicket taker in the world with countless match winning performances.He led a team of underdogs who were given no chance at all even by most of their own supporters to the biggest and most prestigious prize on offer in world cricket trampling down much more fancied oppositions in the process.He was an attacking captain who always had the hunger to win unlike so many of his contemporaries whose sole aim was not to loose.Such was his ability with both the bat and the ball that the crowds never lost hope howsoever tough be the situation if he was there.He was the best complete cricketer we have ever had in India hence no surprises he bagged the wisden greatest Indian cricketer of the century.

          

Kapil made his debut for India against Pakistan in 1978 and played on till the 1994 series against Srilanka.In the process he played in 131 tests picking up 434 wickets (at 29.64)and scoring 5248 runs (at 31.05) & was a part of 225 ODIs taking 253 wickets (at 27.45) and scoring 3783 runs (at 23.79).He was part of the awesome foursome of world cricket in the 80s ,Ian Botham,Imran Khan and Richard Hadlee being the others who showed the world what an all round cricketer really is capable of.Starting out as a fast bowler who was predominantly known for his outswinger Kapil added a lot of other weapons to his repertoire ,the fast in swinging yorker being the deadliest of them and great well directed bouncers which made all the great batsmen hop and sway(This was unusual as it was coming from an Indian bowler).HIs bowling action (one of the most enduring images in Indian cricket,Kapil just before delivering the ball)was one of the cleanest and best ever seen on a cricket field and with his fitness levels he never missed a match because of injury all through his career(a huge feat for a fast bowler).His batting had a no nonsense approach where he treated each ball on merit and never went into too much of a defensive mould(which was a characteristic of most batsmen those days) delivering superb clean hits whenever required.Apart from that he was a superb fielder of his generation when fielding skills were just considered an add on.

The biggest contribution he made though was leading the team to world cup glory in 1983.India had managed to win only one match in it’s appearances in the previous 2 world cups (that too against East Africa) and though they had beaten the carribeans in an ODI just a few months ago they were termed as rank outsiders.With a winning start against the WI, kapil’s devils(as they later came to be known as) began their campaign.Then came the immortal innings of 175* played by Kapil against Zimbabwe(who had beaten Australia before).Coming in to bat at a precarious situation he not only bailed his team out of it but instilled a sense of never say die spirit in them which served them well through out the series that ended with the chief architect with his trademark toothy grin holding the glittering prudential trophy at the Lords balcony (Another most enduring image in Indian cricket) and a whole nation immersed in the joy of sweet victory.He captained India in the 1987 world cup as well and led them to the semi finals where they lost to the eventual winners Australia.

His most memorable performances in test cricket include his 5-28 against Australia at Melbourne in 1981(where he was on painkillers because of a groin injury),the all round peformance against the visiting Pakistan side in the same year where he had a second innings haul of 7-56 at Chennai,9-83 at Ahmedabad against the rampaging Carribeans in 1984(touted as the revenge series),the 4 consecutive sixes to The English spinner(forgotten the name) where India was actually staring at an inevitable follow on at Lords and countless others.During his captaincy India was always a force to be reckoned with winning matches both at home and abroad against more accomplished oppositions.Later on he donned the role of the coach of the side as well but he couldn’t replicate his success mainly because of a raw captain in Sachin Tendulkar and a team that was actually in the making.

Kapil Dev ,though reverred by the masses has had to deal with a lot of controversies as well.Right from the captaincy issue with Sunil Gavaskar till the latest public spats with the BCCI.Being a public figure he has had to deal with a lot of uncomfortable questions all the time(who can forget the sight of him breaking down in an interview with Karan Thapar) but in spite of all this he has always come out in his quest for the betterment of cricket.In a nation so devoid of true heroes he is a real legend in the truest sense of the term.Like the timeless commercial he featured in ,which said Palmolive da jawab nahi(the toothy grin very much there),Kapil paaji da jawab nahi.

Who is your favorite sports player in this field?

Kapil