If you look at the history of Indian Cricket, you will know that Kapil Dev Ram Lal Nikhanj who is also known as “Kapil Dev" is on of the greatest all rounder who was born in Chandigarh on 6th January 1959. In 2002, the Wisden Group of companies named Kapil Dev as the “Indian Cricketer of the Century". He is been praised for his amazing captainship and for holding a record for the most Test match wickets from 1994 to 1999. Being a right arm bowler, he is known for his potent out swing and graceful action. Kapil Dev was naturally an aggressive player who often helps the Indian cricket team during difficult situations. This might be the reason he was named ‘The Haryana Hurricane’ and he once he used to represent the cricket team of Haryana.



This ‘The Haryana Hurricane’ did his Test cricket debut in Pakistan (Faisalabad) in October 16th 1978. Even though his figures weren’t impressive, his numbers didn’t convey any measure of his contribution to the match. He proved his all rounder talent when he scored India’s fastest Test half century with 33 balls and 6 sixes in each innings during the 3rd Test match in Karachi at the National Stadium, though the Indian team lost. Kapil Dev was able to establish himself as a premier fast bower of India when he took five wicket hauls and ended the home series against the Australian team with 28 wickets and 212 runs with one half-century. During the year 1979-80, Kapil Dev gained more fame in his 6 Test series against Pakistan, which led to two victories.

Kapil Dev entered World Cup with an ordinary record of 32 matches, 34 wickets and 608 runs. Indian team’s solitary victory was in the previous two World Cups against East Africa during the year 1975. His batting style is considered to be an entertainer and he is one of the most destructive batsmen in the world. He is also fearless when it comes to attacking the world’s fastest bowlers like Michael Holding. Speaking about his bowling style, Kapil has nearly 250 Test wickets in five years. But after his knee surgery he became the second bowler to make four hundred wickets in 1991-92 Test cricket. Kapil Dev has received about five prestigious awards, including a Padma Shri Award in 1982 and Padma Bhushan Award in 1991. He had also released an autobiography in 2004 “Straight from the Heart".