The first Indian World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev turns 60 on Sunday (6 January). On that special day, the entire nation’s public has sent him the best wishes.
Kapil Dev was born in Chandigarh (Punjab, India) on 6 January 1959. He made his international cricket debut at the age of just 19-year-old when he played an ODI game against Pakistan at Quetta on 1 October 1978.
In that same month, the Indian all-rounder made his Test debut against the same opponent at Faisalabad. He was the right-handed middle-order batsman and right-arm pacer.
Under his captaincy, India won their first ever Cricket World Cup in 1983. While that World Cup tournament has started since 1975, India was the only second team to win that tournament after West Indies (won two World Cups in 1975 and 1979).
During his international career, Kapil Dev had a super fitness as he hardly missed any matches due to his fitness issues. He had around 16-year long international cricket career as he played his last international cricket match on 17 October 1994 which was an ODI encounter against West Indies at Faridabad.
Kapil Dev played 131 Tests and 225 ODIs where he scored 5,248 runs (average 31.05) and 3,783 runs (average 23.79) respectively and also took 434 wickets (average 29.64) and 253 wickets (average 27.45) respectively.
Some crucial stats on Kapil Dev’s international career:
- 1983 Cricket World Cup winning captain.
- Only player to score 4,000+ runs and also to take 400+ wickets in the Test career.
- First Indian cricketer to score an ODI century. It was the famous knock of 175* against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells on 18 June 1983 (in 1983 World Cup). It is also the highest ODI knock by a batsman after coming to bat at no.6 or lower position.
- Best bowling figure in a Test innings by a captain. It was 30.3-6-83-9 against West Indies at Ahmedabad in 1983. Also, it is the best bowling figure in a Test innings for the losing cause.
- Ended his career as the highest wicket-taker in both Test (434 wickets) and ODI formats (253 wickets).
Some special achievements
- Arjuna Award – 1979/80
- Padma Shri – 1982
- Wisden Cricketers of the Year – 1983
- Padma Bhushan – 1991
- Lieutenant colonel (by Indian Territorial Army) – 2008
- ICC Cricket Hall of Fame – 2010
Here are some Twitter reactions:
Happy Birthday to Kapil Dev, India's greatest all-rounder!
A destructive batsman and potent fast bowler, at one point he held the world record for the most Test wickets, while his crowning achievement was surely leading India to their first @cricketworldcup win in 1983. pic.twitter.com/UPMaI7cWcn
— ICC (@ICC) January 6, 2019
Here's wishing #TeamIndia's 1983 World Cup winning Captain and one of the best all-rounders in Indian cricket @therealkapildev a very happy birthday 🍰🍰 pic.twitter.com/n9CUfNkeZj
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 6, 2019
Champion of Champions – we are so proud of you!
Happy Birthday #KapilDev @therealkapildev pic.twitter.com/zxQyo7LqqT— Doordarshan National (@DDNational) January 6, 2019
Many many happy returns of the day @therealkapildev Paaji. Kapil Paaji se behtar fitness ki misaal shayad hi kabhi koi ho. Aur Bharat ko 83 WC jeet se Bharat me Cricket ki Kraanti laane ke liye sadha aabhaar aapka ! pic.twitter.com/T54mNRMUKx
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 6, 2019
Happy birthday kapil paji
The greatest all rounder ever, dashing captain, great athlete लगते है सब एक से, फिर क्यू कुछ ख़ास कहलाते है,चलते है सब पदचिनो पर,कुछ नए पदचिेन बनाते हैं. आपने पीढ़ी दर पीढ़ी प्रेरित किया है लोगों को इस खेल को आगे बढ़ाने के लिए #legend 🙏🙏 🏆 pic.twitter.com/weHCYA9jCG— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 6, 2019
I wish a very happy and sweet 60th birthday for a man who inspired me and a whole generation of cricketers to take up the game. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest match winners India has ever seen. Thank you for inspiring us @therealkapildev Paaji ! pic.twitter.com/pnCCGtPHxA
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 6, 2019
Many many happy returns of the day to the man who inspired a generation of young kids to pick up a cricket bat or a ball, the great @therealkapildev ! Paaji da Jawaab nahi pic.twitter.com/nnYOyDPn4k
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 6, 2019
Happy birthday to the greatest all rounder and great leader of our country @therealkapildev paji have great one #birthday pic.twitter.com/Jfz94mJWcl
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 6, 2019
#KapilDev Happy Birthday, the Haryana Hurricane pic.twitter.com/94bFPo4QKt
— Gautam Deb (@Gautamdebmic) January 6, 2019
Happy Birthday to one of the the best Allrounder we have seen in Cricket. Most of the teams are still looking for his replica and the hunt is on since last 2 decades… #KapilDev @therealkapildev pic.twitter.com/tnmATRWlOQ
— Rahul Nagar (@imRahulNagar) January 6, 2019
#பொதுநலன்கருதி💡
Happy 60th Birthday to the best All Rounder @therealkapildev
– Fastest 50 & 100 by an Indian in Tests
– Youngest Player to get 100 & 300 wickets in Tests
– First player to get 250 wickets in ODIs
-First Indian to get Fifer in ODIs#KapilDev @RanveerOfficial 💪❤️ pic.twitter.com/FCAE15edod— தேடல்Pedia (@ThedalPedia) January 6, 2019
@therealkapildev Wishing the God of Indian Cricket & the very respected Kapil Dev Sir a Very Happy Birthday. Wishing you a Very Long & Healthy Life. The most Selfless Cricketer ever. Today Kapil Dev Sir turns 60 years. D.O.B. 6th January, 1959. #KapilDev @Saira_NN pic.twitter.com/CdUUhM4iGX
— VISHAL DAVE (@vishaldave77) January 6, 2019
Happy birthday @therealkapildev Sir 🙏 Sir aap to matlab laazwaab ho cricket world ke captain. God keeps you healthy and happy ☺☺ #KapilDev pic.twitter.com/BlNVoV0dH8
— Anuradha Gahalot (@its_anu_saini) January 6, 2019
My hero.Then,now and forever. #Kapildev pic.twitter.com/H35VunPVL0
— IndiaWithin (@Indiawithin) January 6, 2019
Man In Uniform !! #Kapildev
It's great feeling to see man we
like in Country uniform 🇮🇳 Jai HindHappy Birthday🎂
Kapil bhai Best Wishes pic.twitter.com/oBAieFoOTh— Kuldeep Bhan (@kbhan89) January 6, 2019
