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A living legend of our times, Kapil Dev Nikhanj or
Kapil Dev as he is popularly known, needs no introduction. His
scintillating performances on the cricket field, his felicity in
achieving world records and his warm personality have won his many
admirers in India and abroad.
With over fifteen years
experience in Indian cricket, Kapil Dev is one of the stalwarts of
the game. ‘Haryana Hurricane’, ‘Kapil Express, ‘Iron
Man of Cricket’ are a few of the titles he has collected in his
illustrious career.
Today, Kapil Dev has the
honour and distinction of being the highest wicket taker in test
cricket. He holds the World Test bowling record (432 wickets), an
achievement which has catapulted him to the gallery of cricket
immortals. However, his prowess is not limited to bowling alone –
he is one of the greatest all rounders India has produced. A sharp
fielder and a devastating batsman, Kapil Dev leads amongst the
quartet of all rounders in limited-overs internationals, the other
three being Imran Khan, Ian Botham and Richard Hadlee. He was the
first to score a century for India in one Day internationals with an
undefeated 175 in 181 minutes against Zimbabwe at Turn bridge Wells
in the 1983 Prudential World Cup.
Born in Chandigarh on
January 6, 1959, Kapil Dev is the youngest son of Ram Lal Nikhanj, a
timber merchant who migrated from Pakistan to India after Partition.
From his father, Kapil Dev inherited his well built physique and
mental tenacity. Though the family’s initial involvement in
sport was not substantial, Kapil Dev was always actively encouraged
to play cricket. In his autobiography, Cricket My Style (1989) Kapil
Dev recalls how he began playing cricket in 1971, the year of the
Indo-Pak war. Initially the coach, Mr. D.P. Azad, at Chandigarh
Cricket Club refused to take him on as a trainee. Kapil Dev was not
deterred by his refusal and persuaded his brother Bhushan to convince
their father to ask Mr. Azad to coach him. After Ram Lal Nikhanj
assured all support in Kapil’s cricket training, Mr. Azad took
Kapil under his wing and the rest as they say is cricketing history.
Kapil Dev reveals “His approach to me revolved around the fact
that many rough edges in my bowling had to be ironed out. Hw worked
on my basic bowling action and delivery style without wishing to
change it completely. But when it came to batting, he did not
interfere. Mr. Azad told me fairly early that I had a natural gift
for batting.
Kapil’s association
with the Haryana team has been long and rewarding. His debut match
was the 1975-1976 Ranji Trophy in which he played for the Haryana
cricket team against Punjab. In fact, Kapil Dev’s emergence as
a fast bowler and an athletic all rounder in the 1975 matches won him
the title of ‘Haryana Hurricane’. Since then, he has been
a vital member of the Haryana team for the Ranji Trophy and has
played in ten seasons from 1975/76 to 1990/91. It was under his able
captaincy that Haryana won the Ranji Trophy for the first time.
Kapil Dev has also played for the Haryana XI in the Irani Trophy
matches. To Kapil Dev goes the credit of putting Haryana on the
cricketing map of India. So deep is hi commitment to the cause of
cricket in Haryana that he has trained many younger players of the
state cricket team.
But it is not just
cricket that has endeared Kapil to so many of his fans and fellow
cricketers. His sense of discipline, his sportsmanship and his
dedication to the game coupled with his unassuming and gregarious
nature have made him a truly inspiring exemplary character.
Kapil Dev has always been a multifaceted personality. Though cricket is his first love, he has been actively involved in various business pursuits as
well as modeling and journalism. His rugged good looks, a certain
muscular charm and his infectious enthusiasm have made for many a
memorable ad campaign. No wonder thousands of Indian mothers
encourage their children to drink up their glass of milk with Boost
in it – the secret of Kapil Dev’s energy, as the
advertisement for this malt and chocolate drink claims. And in the
end, one can pay tribute to this great master by rephrasing the
punchline of his Palmolive advertisement Kapil da jawab nahin
– there’s no equal to Kapil.
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