I was a fifth-grade student at Gujarat Law Society in Ahmedabad, India. The Sunday morning newspaper arrived at my doorstep, and I started to read the sports page. Kapil Dev was the subject.
I read a feature about a young man, a senior, named Kapil Dev. The Times of India raved about how Kapil was the greatest all-rounder in the world. He could bat, bowl, and field like nobody else. The Times called him The Haryana Hurricane.
Photo courtesy CNN
When I finally saw Dev on TV, I knew why he was special. With his in-swinging yorkers and his late out-swingers, Kapil was probably the only pace bowler who could scare a batter with several deadly bouncers and beamers during an era when Indian bowlers were stereotyped as exotic spin wizards.
But there was more ….
–Kapil had a never-say-die attitude. He had a positive, optimistic, and hopeful approach to cricket.
–Kapil had that rare ability to win on his own terms, scaring the opposition with his versatility and talent.
–Kapil was charismatic, on the field and off the field, commanding a fan following like nobody else either in India or beyond.
Cricket was his passion, and unlike other players, he was not interested in chasing money or showing off. He dressed modestly and lived a simple, functional life. Even today, decades after retirement, Kapil Dev continues to command respect and remains a national hero
Kapil Dev has won awards/honors for his contributions and achievements, and was once voted the most popular and iconic sportsman in our country. His photos have graced the covers of magazines like Sports Star, Sports World, and Sports Week.
Kapil Dev in 2025 (photo courtesy NDTV)
Whenever I think about Indian cricket, I think about Kapil Dev. He stands the tallest among other legendary Indian cricketers: Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Prasanna, Virat Kohli, Ravi Shastri, Syed Kirmani, Sandeep Patil, and Dilip Vengsarkar come to mind.
I thank Kapil Dev for putting India on the world map, making it a force to reckon with. India has accomplished great things on its own, and it doesn’t live in the shadows of teams like England, Australia, New Zealand, and the West Indies.
I would be pleasantly surprised if India were ever to be graced with another Kapil Dev. To me, Kapil Dave is the sacred cow of Indian sports. Salute!
