ICL Information

Kapil Dev Ramlal Nikhanj[1] (कपिल देव) (pronunciation (help·info)) (born 6 January 1959, Chandigarh), better known as Kapil Dev, is a former Indian cricketer regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders to have played cricket. Kapil Dev was named by Wisden as the Indian Cricketer of the Century in 2002 for captaining India to their maiden and only Cricket World Cup in 1983 and holding the record for the most Test match wickets between 1994 and 1999. Kapil Dev had a rather prosaic stint as India’s national cricket coach for 10 months between October 1999 and August 2000.

Kapil was a right-arm pace bowler noted for his graceful action and potent outswinger, and was India’s main strike bowler throughout most of his career. He also developed a fine inswinging yorker during the 1980s which he used very effectively against tail-enders. As a batsman he was a natural striker of the ball who could hook and drive effectively. A naturally aggressive player, he often helped India in difficult situations by taking the attack to the opposition. His nickname was The Haryana Hurricane— he used to represent the Haryana cricket team.

Return to Cricket

Kapil Dev accepting Wisden Indian Cricketer of the Century award in July 2002
Kapil Dev accepting Wisden Indian Cricketer of the Century award in July 2002

After a period of silence and away from the public eye, Kapil Dev returned to cricket when Wisden announced Kapil Dev as one of the sixteen finalists for the Wisden Indian Cricketer of the Century award in July 2002. Kapil Dev piped long time team-mate Gavaskar and crowd favourite Tendulkar to win the award and claimed the award as “my finest hour”.

Kapil Dev slowly returned to cricket as a bowling consultantand was the bowling coach in the preparatory camp prior to India’s tour of Pakistan in March 2004[38]. In October 2006, Kapil Dev was nominated as the chairman of National Cricket Academy for a 2 year period.
In May 2007, Kapil Dev joined the upstart Indian Cricket League (ICL) floated by Zee TV as the chairman of executive board and defended his decision as complimenting BCCI’s structure rather than opposing it - “We are not looking to create a rival team but helping the Indian board to find more talent”.[40] In June 2007, BCCI responded by revoking the pension for all players who have joined ICL, including Kapil.on 21 August 2007, Kapil Dev was removed from the chairmanship of theNational Cricket Academy, a day after he addressed a formal press conference of the new Indian Cricket League.