Kapil Dev. For cricket fans, this name needs no introduction. This is the name of that player. Which took Indian cricket to new heights. This is the name of that all-rounder, who wore the mantle of greatness by establishing his dominance on the chest of world cricket. This is the captain who told the world that India can also become world champion. Kapil Dev's 66th birthday is on 6 January 2024. You can gauge Kapil Dev's stature in Indian cricket from the fact that once Sunil Gavaskar had to become a victim of the anger of cricket fans for going against him.

Gavaskar dropped Kapil from the team

The year was 1984. The England team was on a tour of India. A series of 5 test matches was being played, in which Sunil Gavaskar was the captain. India won the first test played at Wankhede ground by 8 wickets. However, after this, in the second test played in Delhi, England defeated them by 8 wickets. Captain Sunil Gavaskar felt that this defeat was the result of Kapil Dev's careless shots. Hence, he was dropped from the next Test to be played in Kolkata.

Fans get angry at Gavaskar for dropping Kapil

For Kapil Dev, who played his first Test in 1978, this was the first time after playing 66 consecutive Test matches, when he was dropped from the team. Gavaskar dropped Kapil Dev and gave debut to then 23 year old Mohammad Azharuddin. However, he had to suffer the consequences of his decision. Gavaskar had to face the anger of the Eden Gardens spectators, who said that if there was no Kapil, there would be no Test. Those who were saying that we want Kapil, Gavaskar you go back.

#DoYouKnow: Kapil Dev was dropped for playing a reckless shot in Delhi. That was the only time he missed a test in his entire career.

Kapil Dev had played 66 straight Test matches, then dropped (v England, Kolkata in 1984), and then again played another 65 consecutive Tests. pic.twitter.com/3xKsyCJ3gj

— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) December 6, 2018

India-England test played without Kapil was a draw

Without Kapil, the third Test played between India and England in Kolkata ended inconclusively. However, Kapil Dev returned to the team in the next Test, after which he never dropped from the team again in his entire Test career. He then played 65 consecutive matches again.

That oath of Gavaskar

However, after that test, Sunil Gavaskar also took an oath. Seeing the behavior of the spectators, he resolved that he would never play in Kolkata again. And the same thing happened. Where he was accused of doing politics with Kapil. He did not play further there.

Took 434 wickets in 4623 overs

Talking about Kapil Dev's Test career, he played 131 Tests in 16 years, in which he bowled 4623 overs and took 434 wickets. In comparison, all the other Indian bowlers of that time together could take only 422 wickets.