Kapil Dev’s test debut
On 16th Oct 1978, Kapil Dev played his first-ever test match in Indian Jersey.
Kapil Dev is one player who merits his own chapter in the history of Indian cricket. One of the fondest memories of Indian cricket fans is of Dev hoisting the World Cup trophy aloft in the Lord’s balcony. The most admired Indian skipper made his Test debut against Pakistan in Faisalabad on this day in 1978, making it a very significant day for Indian supporters.
The all-rounder from Haryana captivated the world over his long 15-year career. And cemented his status as one of cricket’s all-time greats.
Dev arrived to play his maiden career Test match against Pakistan at the age of 19. And at that time only he was already being hailed as the next big thing in Indian cricket.
Dev’s red-ball career, however, did not get off to the best of starts as he only managed to pick up one wicket while giving up 96 runs. Only eight runs could be added to India’s total, and the first Test concluded in a tie.
After going without a wicket in the first innings, the then 19-year-old Kapil fought back with great vigour in the second and claimed his maiden international wicket by bowling Sadiq Mohammad.
The impact Kapil has had on Indian cricket is enormous. He was the first Indian fast bowler to earn the respect of batsmen everywhere.
His batting credentials are evidenced to by his eight test hundreds. Many people believe his 175 unbeaten against Zimbabwe in a Group B match in the 1983 World Cup to be the greatest ODI performance ever.
Top wicket-taker in the world
He surpassed Hadlee’s total of 431 wickets to become the top wicket-taker in the globe in 1994 during a home Test against Sri Lanka. His Test stats of 9/83 in an innings were the greatest for an Indian bowler before Anil Kumble surpassed it.
In 2002, he received the Indian Cricketer of the Century honour, and after retiring, he became the team’s coach.
He played 225 One Day Internationals and 131 Tests for India, making 3783 and 5248 runs, respectively. While he took 253 wickets in ODIs and in tests he bagged a whopping 434 wickets.
The impact Kapil has had on Indian cricket is enormous. He was the first Indian fast bowler to earn the respect of batsmen everywhere. Prior to him, India had produced a number of strong medium pacers. But, after his arrival, the country’s fast bowling scenario completely transformed.
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