|
Kapil Dev was the first bowler of any pace produced by India after
partition. For 30 years they had produced nothing but gentle
medium-pacers who would take the shine off the ball for their
world-class spinners, an imbalance in attack which made it difficult to
succeed abroad. Kapil's example has meant that India has now established
a strong line of bowlers of fast- medium and above. His natural
outswing was as big a weapon as his sharp pace and his big hitting
batting would have gained him a Test place on its own. He saved the
follow-on at Lord's in 1990 by hitting Eddie Hemmings for four
successive 6s. Kapil transformed Indian cricket when he led his team to
victory over West Indies in the 1983 World Cup Final. His finely-judged
outfield catch to remove Viv Richards set up the win.
He reached 100
Test wickets when he was still only 21, taking many against Pakistan
when Tests between the neighbours resumed in the 1980s. He took 8-58 in
Lahore in 1982-83, and 7-220 in a massive feat of stamina in Faisalabad.
He took 9-83 against West Indies in Ahmedabad in 1983-84 and 8-106
against Australia at Adelaide in the same season. He surprised Australia
in Melbourne in 1981 when he took 5-28 and tumbled them out for 83 in a
shock victory. He made 100 not out against the West Indies fast bowlers
in Trinidad in 1983, followed by 98 in Antigua. He captained India in
two World Cups, his biggest personal contribution being at Tunbridge
Wells in 1983 when Zimbabwe had reduced India to 17 for 5 Kapil came in
and scored 175 not out. (Bob Harragan)
|