Kapil Dev Ramlal Nikhanj, born on January 6, 1959, in Chandigarh, India, is widely regarded as one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders. His illustrious career, spanning from 1978 to 1994, is marked by exceptional performances and significant contributions to Indian cricket.
Personal Life
- Family: Kapil Dev was born to Ram Lal Nikhanj, a building and timber contractor, and Raj Kumari Lajwanti. His family migrated from Pakistan to India during the partition in 1947.
- Marriage: He married Romi Bhatia in 1980.
- Children: The couple has a daughter, Amiya Dev, born on January 16, 1996.
Cricketing Career
Kapil Dev’s cricketing journey is distinguished by his prowess as both a fast-medium bowler and a hard-hitting middle-order batsman. Below is a detailed breakdown of his career statistics:
| Format | Matches | Innings | Not Outs | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | Catches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 131 | 184 | 15 | 5,248 | 163 | 31.05 | 94.76 | 8 | 27 | 64 |
| ODIs | 225 | 198 | 39 | 3,783 | 175* | 23.79 | 95.07 | 1 | 14 | 71 |
| First-Class | 275 | 328 | 22 | 11,356 | 193 | 32.32 | – | 22 | 56 | 117 |
| List A | 309 | 265 | 50 | 5,728 | 175* | 26.53 | – | 1 | 24 | 93 |
Note: ‘-‘ indicates data not specified.
In addition to his batting achievements, Kapil Dev was a formidable bowler:
| Format | Matches | Innings | Balls Bowled | Runs Conceded | Wickets | Best Bowling (Innings) | Average | Economy Rate | Strike Rate | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 131 | 227 | 27,740 | 12,467 | 434 | 9/83 | 29.64 | 2.78 | 64.3 | 23 | 2 |
| ODIs | 225 | 221 | 11,202 | 7,911 | 253 | 5/43 | 27.45 | 4.23 | 66.2 | 1 | 0 |
| First-Class | 275 | – | 40,680 | 18,811 | 835 | 9/83 | 22.52 | 2.77 | 48.7 | 35 | 3 |
| List A | 309 | – | 15,601 | 10,620 | 335 | 5/43 | 31.70 | 4.08 | 55.5 | 2 | 0 |
Note: ‘-‘ indicates data not specified.
Records and Achievements
- Test Cricket:
- First player to achieve the all-rounder’s double of 4,000 runs and 400 wickets.
- Held the world record for most Test wickets (434) until 2000.
- Youngest cricketer to take 100, 200, and 300 Test wickets.
- ODI Cricket:
- Recorded the highest individual score in a World Cup match at the time: 175* against Zimbabwe in 1983.
- First Indian bowler to take 200 ODI wickets.
- Captaincy:
- Led India to its first Cricket World Cup victory in 1983.
- Awards:
- Arjuna Award (1979–80)
- Padma Shri (1982)
- Padma Bhushan (1991)
- Wisden Indian Cricketer of the Century (2002)
- ICC Cricket Hall of Fame Inductee (2010)
- C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award (2013)
Net Worth and Assets
- Net Worth: Estimated at approximately $30 million as of 2024.
- Residence: Owns a luxurious house in Chandigarh and a residence in Delhi.
- Car Collection: Includes premium brands like Porsche Panamera, Mercedes-Benz, and Toyota Fortuner.
- Business Ventures:
- Owner of Dev Musco Lighting Pvt. Ltd., specializing in sports lighting solutions.
- Holds a 5% stake in Zicom Electronics.
- Owns restaurants named “Captain’s Eleven” in Chandigarh and Patna.
- Invested in SAMCO Ventures, the holding company for SAMCO Securities.
Kapil Dev’s unparalleled contributions to cricket, both as a player and captain, have cemented his legacy as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the game and a global cricketing legend. His ventures beyond the sport have only further exemplified his versatility and enduring influence.
