Kapil Dev Biography | Birth, Age, Family and Education
Kapil Dev Ramlal Nikhanj, a former Indian cricketer and coach, is widely recognized as one of the finest all-rounders in the history of the sport. Born on January 6, 1959, in Chandigarh, India, he made his debut for the Indian national team in 1978 and quickly became known for his exceptional pace bowling and aggressive batting in the middle order. As the captain of the Indian team, Kapil Dev led them to a historic victory in the 1983 Cricket World Cup, solidifying his position as one of India’s greatest captains.
Throughout his playing career, he set numerous records, including the highest number of wickets taken by a fast bowler in both Test matches and One Day Internationals (ODIs). Notably, he was the first player to surpass 400 wickets in Test cricket and scored over 5,000 runs in Test matches. Born on January 6, 1959, in Chandigarh, India, Kapil Dev had a burning passion for cricket from an early age. He attended D.A.V. School and nurtured his dream of becoming a cricketer. Kapil Dev went on to become a cricketing legend and a prominent all-rounder of his time. Notably, he made history by leading the Indian cricket team to its first-ever Cricket World Cup triumph as captain. After a remarkable career in the sport, Kapil Dev has since retired from all formats of the game, leaving behind an enduring legacy as one of India’s most celebrated cricketers. Kapil Dev was born to Ram Lal Nikhanj and Raj Kumari, and his father worked as a building and timber contractor. Originally hailing from Rawalpindi, his parents had migrated to India during the partition in 1947. He received his early education at DAV School and later attended St. Edward’s School in Shimla. From his school days, Kapil developed a keen interest in cricket and began playing the sport. His talent caught the attention of selectors, and he was chosen to represent Haryana in domestic cricket. Thus, Kapil’s journey as a cricketer began, leading him to become one of India’s greatest all-rounders and an iconic figure in the world of cricket.
Kapil Dev | Cricket Career
Kapil Dev began his first-class cricket career representing Haryana before making his debut for the Indian national team in 1978-79 against Pakistan. While his initial performance was not exceptional, he displayed great energy, introducing India to genuine fast bowling and aggressive play. Kapil went on to lead the Indian bowling attack for two decades, retiring with a record 434 Test wickets in 131 matches and 253 wickets in 225 one-day internationals. As a hard-hitting middle-order batsman, he scored 5,248 runs with eight Test centuries and 3,783 runs in ODIs.
In 1983, Kapil was appointed captain of the Indian team, and during the Prudential Cup, he played a remarkable innings of 175 not out, almost single-handedly guiding India to victory against Zimbabwe. However, inconsistent performances led to him being relieved of the captaincy and briefly dropped from the team in 1984. Despite these challenges, Kapil delivered match-winning performances, such as his “5 for 28” against Australia in 1981 and his record-breaking 400 wickets, surpassing Richard Hadlee’s tally.
Following his retirement in 1994, Kapil had a short stint as the coach of the Indian team but was later cleared of match-fixing allegations. He received accolades and awards throughout his career, including the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan, and was named the Indian Cricketer of the Century in 2002. Inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2010, Kapil Dev remains an iconic figure in Indian cricket history.
Kapil Dev made his debut for Haryana in November 1975, showcasing his outstanding skills with a six-wicket haul against Punjab, helping Haryana secure a victory. In the following seasons, he continued to impress, taking eight wickets and making valuable runs against Jammu & Kashmir, and achieving figures of 7/20 against Bengal. His remarkable performance earned him selections for prestigious matches like the Irani Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and Wills Trophy. Kapil Dev’s all-round ability shone through as he displayed proficiency with both bat and ball, scoring his maiden century in 1979-80 against Delhi.
His Test debut against Pakistan came in October 1978, and he gradually began to leave a significant impact with his performances. Against the West Indies, he scored his maiden Test century and took 17 wickets in the series. Kapil Dev’s cricketing prowess grew with each match, culminating in his first 5-wicket haul against England in 1979. During Australia’s tour of India in 1979-80, he established himself as India’s premier fast bowler with impressive performances.
Kapil Dev’s career reached new heights when he became the captain of the Indian cricket team during the 1982-83 season. Under his charismatic leadership, India achieved an unexpected triumph in the 1983 World Cup, defeating the formidable West Indies in the finals. He continued to lead the team in the 1987 World Cup, where India performed well but ultimately lost in the semi-finals to England. He played his final World Cup in 1992 under the captaincy of Mohammad Azharuddin, mentoring young talents in the team.
Kapil Dev retired in 1994 as the highest wicket-taker of his time, boasting an impressive haul of 434 wickets. He took on the role of the Indian team’s coach in 1999, but his coaching stint was short-lived and marked by controversy, leading to his resignation in 2000. Throughout his illustrious career, Kapil Dev remained a revered figure in Indian cricket, known for his all-round excellence and inspirational leadership.
Kapil Dev Family
Kapil Dev’s love story with Romi Bhatia began in 1979 when they were introduced by a mutual friend. They fell in love and tied the knot in 1980. After several years of marriage, they were blessed with a daughter named Amiya on January 16, 1994. Following his retirement from cricket, Kapil Dev took up golf as a recreational sport. Additionally, he demonstrated his philanthropic side by pledging his organs during an event organized by the Delhi Urological Society.
Unfortunately, Kapil Dev faced a challenging phase when he was accused of being involved in a match-fixing scandal by his former teammate Manoj Prabhakar. However, the courts dismissed the case due to lack of evidence, but the incident deeply hurt the cricketer.
Kapil Dev’s family background reveals that he was born to Ram Lal Nikhanj and Raj Kumari Lajwanti. His father, Ram Lal, originally from Pakistan, worked as a teak merchant and moved to India with his family during the partition. Kapil Dev shared a close bond with his mother, Raj Kumari Lajwanti, who was a homemaker. Sadly, she passed away on June 13, 2009, in Chandigarh.
Kapil Dev has four elder sisters, and while not much information is available about them, one of their names is Pinky Gill. He also has two elder brothers, Ramesh Nikhanj the eldest and Bhushan Nikhanj as the second brother.
The love between Kapil Dev and Romi Bhatia remains strong, and they appeared together on the popular Indian talk show ‘Rendezvous with Simi Garewal’ in 1995. Their daughter Amiya has grown up to become an accomplished individual, completing her graduation and working as an assistant director for the film ’83,’ showcasing her talent in the film industry.
Kapil Dev Awards
Kapil Dev gained fame for his captaincy, leading India to a memorable World Cup victory in 1983. He once held the world record for the highest number of wickets in Test cricket, securing an impressive total of 434 wickets. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to cricket, he received prestigious civilian awards, including the Padma Shri in 1982 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991. Additionally, he was honored with the Wisden Indian Cricketer of the Century award in 2002 for his exceptional achievements in the sport.
Apart from his philanthropic endeavors, Kapil Dev has also ventured into various business ventures. He founded Dev Musco Lighting Pvt. Ltd, a company specializing in sports lighting solutions. Additionally, he has a keen interest in golf and has participated in numerous national and international golf tournaments.
In recognition of his exceptional contributions to Indian cricket, Kapil Dev received the esteemed “Bharat Gaurav” Lifetime Achievement Award from the NRI Institute of India in 2019. As an iconic figure in Indian cricket, he continues to be an inspiration for the younger generation of cricketers through his remarkable achievements and inspiring life journey.
