I am overwhelmed: Kapil
Very much like his champion team on that historic day at Lord's in 1983, World Cup-winning captain
Kapil Dev Nikhanj upstaged more fancied rivals to be adjudged the greatest Indian cricketer of the century.
While Sachin Tendulkar was the popular choice, legendary batsman and Kapil Dev's contemporary Sunil Gavaskar was a front-runner for the distinction. But the 'Haryana Hurricane' left them both - and 13 other illustrious cricketers - behind to be selected the 'Wisden
Indian Cricketer of the Century' by a distinguished panel comprising former cricketers and sports journalists.
Gavaskar and Tendulkar also got their share of honour. Gavaskar's 1985 team
that won the Benson and Hedges World Series in Australia was
adjudged the best ever Indian side while Tendulkar was voted
the greatest Indian cricketer in a nation-wide poll conducted
by Wisden.
Kapil Dev, who held the world record of 434 Test wickets
before being overtaken by West Indian Courtney Walsh and later
by Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne, had led India to one of
the biggest upsets in the history of one-day game when his
team defeated the mighty West Indies to lift the World Cup in
1983.
Incidentally, it was one of the strongest pillars of that West Indian team - the great Viv Richards - who presented the award to Kapil.
Lauding the achievements of the former India captain,
whose 5,248 runs and 434 wickets gives him the best all-round
Test record, Richards said: "I am shaking in my boots to
give the award to Kapil Dev."
Kapil, himself was a picture of humility in his
moment of glory, attributed his success to guidance
from senior players.
"I have no words to describe how I feel. Besides
happiness and pride, I feel a sense of humility to have
received this award. The other nominees for this award are my
heroes, and being chosen from among my heroes is a great
honour," he said.
"This has touched my heart and I am overwhelmed," he
added.
Kapil also had a word of encouragement for Tendulkar.
"This little young master would one day cross us all over," he
said, pointing to the master batsman, who along with Gavaskar,
shared the stage with Kapil after the 16-name list had
narrowed down to the three of them.
Wish Kapil Dev
Mail Cricket Editor