Long before he got himself anointed with the Wisden Indian Cricketer of the Century Award, Kapil Dev was the darling of millions of Indian cricket fans for his fantastic feats with both bat and ball. Even when his name was being dragged through the muck at the height of the match-fixing controversy, there were many who were willing to forgive him, no matter what.
Though his record in both Tests and One-day Internationals places him firmly among the legends of cricket, one feat more than any other ensured his immortality in Indian eyes.
His name will forever be linked to that astonishing World Cup victory at Lord`s in 1983, arguably the most astonishing result in the history of sport.
Kapil burst on the scene in Pakistan in 1978 and Indian fans could scarcely believe their eyes. Here at last was a dynamic cricketer who could bowl at a brisk pace and hit the ball as hard as anyone before or since.
Though he would go on to to hold the world record for most Test wickets, it was in the World of one-day cricket that he really excelled.
India were no-hopers prior to the third World Cup in England in 1983. In the two previous tournaments, they had just one win to their credit and there was little to indicate a change in fortunes this time around.
Critics even called for them to be demoted if they did not improve their record! But under the inspirational leadership of Kapil, India went from strength to strength to reach the final where they stunned the undisputed kings of one-day cricket, the mighty West Indies.
 It could have been so very different if not for one of the great batting displays of all time by Kapil against Zimbabwe. Reduced to a miserable 17 for 5 against minnows Zimbabwe, Kapil strode out and smashed the bowlers all over Tunbridge Wells for an amazing 175 not out - a record at that time in the World Cup and the first ODI century by an Indian after nearly a decade.
Though he did not play much of a role with bat or ball in the final, it was his dynamic captaincy and that breathtaking catch in the deep that sent back Viv Richards that titled the scales in India`s favour.
In the semifinals against England, he picked up 3 for 35 and was at the crease when Sandip Patil smashed the winning runs, waving his bat in joy and perhaps disbelief as well as he raced off the field.
Kapil had made his debut in the 1979 World Cup and would play in a total of four till 1992. His figures in the World Cup read 669 runs in 26 matches at 37.16 and 28 wickets with a best of 5 for 43.
But more than just numbers, it was the sheer joy that Kapil brought to whatever he did on the cricket field that endeared him to spectators around the World. This is his lasting legacy and how he will always be remembered. -- GE Features
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