Happy Birthday Kapil Dev: The Master of All Crafts

India's greatest all-rounder Kapil Dev was born on 6 January 1959 in Chandigarh. Kapil, who captained India when they won the 1983 World Cup, was named by Wisden as the Indian Cricketer of the Century in 2002; he was also India's national cricket coach for 10 months between October 1999 and August 2000. Nicknamed The Haryana Hurricane, Kapil is  the only player to take more than 400 wickets and score more than 5,000 runs in Test cricket. Kapil has a long list of achievements to his name during his illustrious career, but the 138-ball 175* he scored against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup, is one of the great knocks in ODIs. On 8 March 2010, Kapil was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. Kapil was the only Asian founding member of Laureus Foundation in 2000. Ian Botham and Viv Richards were the other two cricketers on the founding member council of 40. Steve Waugh was added to the Academy members in 2006 when it was expanded from 40 to 42.

1983: India Captain Kapil Dev holds the trophy aloft after the World Cup match against the West Indies at Lord's in London. India won the match by 43 runs. 

 

Kapil Dev of India with the Wisden Cricketer of the Century Trophy during the Indian Wisden Cricketer of the Century Awards at Wembley Conference Centre in London on July 23, 2002. 

 

Nov 1984: Portrait of Kapil Dev of India.

 

Dec 1984: Kapil Dev of India stretches before a match.

 

Nov 1988: Indian All-rounder Kapil Dev appeals for a wicket during the 1st Test against New Zealand in Bangalore.

 

Nov 1984: Kapil Dev of India in action during a match. 

 

June 1983: Kapil Dev of India crashes another boundary during his innings of 175 not out in a Cricket World Cup match against Zimbabwe.

 

India captain Kapil Dev in bowling action. 

 

25 Jun 1983: Cricket World Cup final at Lords. Andy Roberts of the West Indies loses his wicket to Kapil Dev as India power to victory in the final at Lords. Joel Garner is the non striking batsman.

Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev during his record innings of 175 not out off 138 balls against Zimbabwe in the Cricket World Cup at Nevill Ground, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, 18th June 1983. India won the match by 31 runs and later won the tournament. Kapil Dev (left) bowling for India during the Fourth Test against England at Calcutta, during the England tour of India, January 1982. Dev shows his jubilance at having Boycott caught behind. Kapil Dev and Family arrives at a cocktail reception at the Yacht Club de Monaco in Monte Carlo on 13 May, 2002. The 3rd Annual Laureus World Sports Awards honours the achievements of the world's greatest sportsmen and women.

1 Jan 2000: India cricket coach Kapil Dev looks on during cricket nets before the Third Test match against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia. 21 May 2001: World Sports Academy founder member and former cricketer Kapil Dev celebrates during the Laureus Golf Challenge at the Monte Carlo Golf Club prior to the Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco. Dec 1983: Kapil Dev bats for India during the 5th Test between India and England at Calcutta. 1987: Kapil Dev of India in action during the World Cup semi-final against England at Wankhede Stadium in Bombay, India. 13 Mar 2001: The World Sports Academy (back row, L to R) Kapil Dev, Edwin Moses, Hugo Porta, Migual Indurain (front row, L to R) Morne du Plessis, Dawn Fraser, Mark Spitz, Nadia Comaneci and Boris Becker at the annoucement of the Laureus World Sports Award Nominations at the Hotel Adlon, Berlin, Germany. Digital Image. Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev, practices in a dance class with a Chinese student from Lu Jia Zui Special School, a local school in partner relationship with "Special Olympic Shanghai" to promote a special activity in Shanghai, China on March 29, 2003. Ten academy members of Laureus Awards were in Shanghai for the announcement of the nominees for the 2003 Laureus World Sports Award. Laureus Academy Members Ian Botham (L), Kapil Dev and Steve Waugh (R) walk down the fairway during the the Laureus golf challenge at the Oitavis Golf Club May 9, 2004 in Quinta Da Marinha, Portugal. Torchbearer Kapil Dev carries the Olympic Flame outside the Red Fort during Day 7 of the ATHENS 2004 Olympic Torch Relay on June 10, 2004 in Delhi, India. The Olympic Flame travels to 34 cities in 27 countries en route to the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Kapil Dev bowls for India during the First Test Match against England at Lords, June 1982. Kapil Dev and Kiran More of India celebrate victory during the Third Test match between India and England held on February 23, 1993 at the Wankhede Stadium, in Bombay, India. Kapil Dev of India hits his second shot at the 18th hole during the Pro Celebrity Challenge as a preview for the 2008 Johnnie Walker Classic held at The DLF Golf and Country Club on February 26, 2008 in New Delhi, India. Kapil Dev, the legendary Indian cricketer, conducts a clinic for youth players at the Awali Cricket Club in Riffa, as a part of the preview to the Riffa Invitaional, for the opening of the Riffa Views Golf Course, on November 12, 2008 in Riffa, Bahrain Kapil Dev of India hits his tee shot at the 4th hole during the opening of the par 3 course as part of the celebration of the completion of construction of the Montgomerie Course at Riffa Views on November 14, 2008 in Riffa, Bahrain.