A review dedicated to the only cricket player I admire -> Kapil Dev .
The reason : Lifetime Achievement Award.
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The

very mention of the name Kapil takes me 21 years back. The year 1983, month June. India had won the Cricket World Cup by beating the then mighty WestIndies team and the entire country was celebrating. The scene was no different at my place. I was too young n too dumb to understand why my dad was jumping up and down with joy. OK, he’s lost it.... I concluded.

Later, when I was a bit older I learnt about a great sporting personality called Kapil Dev. The captain of the team that had humbled the Windies. The person who had a huge share in getting that silverware to India. India’s successful captain, one of the best all rounders in the world. Truly world class!

Kapil Dev Ramlal Nikhanj, born in Haryana on January 6th, nicknamed ’’ The Haryana Hurricane’’ is one of the finest all rounders India has ever had.

There was a time when, all the opening bowlers had to do was to wear the shine off the ball, so that the spinners can work their magic. Kapil came and changed all that. He bowled fast, showed that India too can have fast bowlers and inspired a whole lot of young players across the country. In his entire career, Kapil has taken 434 test wickets and scored 5000+ runs.

He was not just an out and out fast bowler. He used his head while bowling, and this explains his success on the flat batting or spinner friendly pitches in India. When he went out to bat, he was a treat to watch. A blaster, who could hit the best of bowlers for a six and play safe & sensibly when the team needed it. He was also a very good fielder. Just watch the ’83 World Cup final when they cricket classic matches. The running catch he took to send back Richards, simply breathtaking.

His knock of 175 not out against Zimbabwe in the same world cup is probably the best by any player. There may have been higher scores than that, but this was scored when the team was in a bad state, 5 wickets down for 17!! Sadly, this match was never recorded as there was a strike by the TV people.

So thats it. A review on Kapil Dev.

Thanks for taking the time to read it. Please add your comments if I have missed out on something , and even if I haven’t.

Who is your favorite sports player in this field?

kapil