Kapil Dev Age, Height, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More

Some Lesser Known Facts About Kapil Dev

• Kapil Dev does not smoke.

• Is Kapil Dev a drinker?: Yes, Kapil Dev’s way of celebrating includes opening a bottle of champagne.

• Kapil Dev was born into a humble business family, with his father, Ram Lal Nikhanj, being a builder and timber contractor in Chandigarh. Here is a childhood photo of Kapil Dev.

• Following India’s partition, his parents relocated from Montgomery, which is presently known as Sahiwal in Pakistan, to Fazilka in Punjab, India.

• Following a few years in Fazilka, his family eventually relocated to Chandigarh.

• Kapil Dev’s alma mater is DAV School in Chandigarh, where he discovered his passion for cricket. Specifically, he attended DAV Sector 8 C in Chandigarh.

• According to V.P. Paul, the previous sports head of DAV Senior Secondary School, Sector 8-C, Kapil, a talented triple jumper, would enthusiastically tune into the commentary during his entire school day. Not only did he thrive in this sport, but he also accomplished remarkable achievements, including winning medals at the junior level in school.

• He teamed up with Desh Prem Azad in 1971 to acquire fundamental cricket skills.

• Interestingly enough, Kapil Dev didn’t participate in his maiden cricket match until he turned 13 years old.

• By chance, Kapil stumbled into the world of cricket. On a Sunday, the Chandigarh Sector 16 team was lacking one player, and Kapil was brought in to fill the gap. His elder brother, Bhushan Nikhanj, who is three years his senior, provided him with immense motivation.

• Desh Prem Azad, Kapil Dev’s mentor, recounted the initial encounter with him, revealing that he had initially dismissed Kapil solely based on his looks.

• After a conversation between Ram Lal Nikhanj (Kapil’s father) and Azad, where assurance was given regarding Kapil, the young lad was enrolled for coaching. This marked the start of a lengthy and uninterrupted partnership. In the photograph, Kapil Dev can be seen positioned second from the left, standing next to his coach Desh Prem Azad who is positioned second from the right.

• During his early days, Kapil would participate in weekend matches. The matches held between Pal Club and King Crown Club during the late 1960s and 1970s were highly competitive. The team that lost had the responsibility of treating the winners to channa-puri at a well-known restaurant in Sector 27, Chandigarh. In a rare photograph from his youth, Kapil Dev can be seen standing at the far left.

• Kapil Dev, just shy of his 17th birthday, made his first-class debut for Haryana against Punjab in November 1975. He displayed remarkable talent by taking 6 wickets for a mere 39 runs. Sadly, his father passed away that same year, never witnessing his son’s triumph in the world of Cricket.

• Afterward, Kapil experienced a small heartbreak as he was not chosen to be part of the final eleven for the Combined Universities team’s match against Tony Greg’s English side at Nagpur.

• From 1975 to 1992, he dedicated 17 years of his career to playing for Haryana.

• In 1978, Kapil Dev marked his international debut against Pakistan, instantly shining as a new star was born.

• After receiving advice from Sunil Gavaskar, he quickly adjusted his bowling action by moving closer to the stumps. This modification aimed to enhance the effectiveness of his already deadly outswingers. Thus, Kapil Dev’s bowling action was altered.

• Kapil Dev’s life had another Sunil, Sunil Bhatia, who played a pivotal role in introducing him to Romi Bhatia, who eventually became his wife. Kapil Dev and Romi Bhatia are now happily together.

• During the India-West Indies Test match in Delhi in 1979, Kapil invited Romi to witness the game. As Romi sat in the stands, Kapil achieved his first century by skillfully flicking Norbert Philips’ ball for a six, propelling him from 94 to 100. This remarkable feat made Kapil the sole cricketer in history to reach his maiden century with a six.

• In 1980, during a train journey in Bombay, Kapil proposed to Romi. The couple eventually got married, and despite Kapil’s already choosing Romi, it was Ramesh Nikhanj, the eldest brother, who gave his approval, questioning the need for it in the first place.

• Sadiq Mohammad of Pakistan fell victim to him, marking his first wicket.

• During the 1980s, Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, Sir Richard Hadlee, and Imran Khan competed for the title of the best all-rounder. These four individuals, Imran Khan, Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, and Richard Hadlee, are widely recognized as some of the most extraordinary all-rounders.

• At just over 21 years old, Kapil Dev achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the youngest player in Test cricket history to accomplish the double of 100 wickets and 1,000 runs.

• According to Dr. Ravinder Chadha, who was Kapil’s first captain in the Ranji Trophy, there was an incident during a match between Haryana and Punjab in either 1981 or 1982. Rajinder Ghai dismissed Kapil Dev, but the umpire declared him not out, allowing Kapil to continue his innings and eventually score 193 runs. After the day’s play, Ghai approached the umpire to inquire about his decision. The umpire responded by saying that the spectators had come to watch Kapil, not Ghai.

• Throughout his extensive 184-inning career, he never experienced being run out.

• During the 1983 World Cup, Kapil Dev achieved an impressive feat with 303 runs, 12 wickets, and 7 catches.

• During the 1983 World Cup, Kapil Dev’s outstanding performance of scoring 175 runs against Zimbabwe saved India from elimination and is still regarded as one of the greatest innings in ODIs.

• During the 1983 World Cup final against West Indies, a skier was hit by Sir Viv Richards. The ball seemed destined to score four runs, but Kapil at mid-wicket made an incredible run backwards for about 25 yards to secure the catch. This remarkable moment became a pivotal turning point in the game.

• India, led by Kapil Dev, emerged victorious in the finals of the 1983 World Cup by defeating West Indies, a team renowned for their excellence. The iconic images of Kapil triumphantly raising the cup on the renowned Lord’s Balcony will forever be etched in the minds of cricket enthusiasts across multiple generations.

• Shortly after the conclusion of the 1983 World Cup, the West Indies embarked on a tour of India. Driven by a desire for retaliation, they resoundingly defeated India in a six-test series, winning all three matches. Additionally, they emerged victorious in all five One Day Internationals. Nevertheless, amidst this defeat, Kapil’s exceptional talent shone through as he delivered his finest bowling performance of 9 for 83 in Ahmedabad.

• During the 1980s, he gained popularity in the TV commercial industry as well. His advertisement for Palmolive Shaving Cream became incredibly popular, and his memorable one-liner, “Palmolive Da Jawaab Nahin,” made him a household name.

• During a Test match at Lord’s in 1990, he managed to hit four sixes off-spinner Eddie Hemmings, ultimately preventing a follow-on.

• He never skipped a Test due to injury or fitness issues throughout his entire career.

• Kapil Dev, after retiring from cricket in 1994, decided to pursue golf and became the sole Asian founding member of the Laureus Foundation. He took up the sport with enthusiasm and has since been seen playing golf.

• In addition to his cricket prowess, Kapil Dev also showcased his talent in football. Back in the 1980s, he even participated in a football match against Shah Rukh Khan, who captained his college’s football team at the time. This exciting game brought together Shah Rukh Khan and Kapil Dev on the football field.

• Kapil Dev, renowned for his cricket career, made a foray into the business world after retiring. Among his various business ventures, he owns two restaurants named “Kaptain’s Retreat” in Chandigarh and Patna. One such establishment, situated in Chandigarh, carries the same name and is owned by the iconic Kapil Dev.

• In approximately 1985, Kapil established Dev Features, a syndicated agency. Despite facing initial setbacks in business, Kapil expressed, “After experiencing failures while working from home, I made the decision to acquire my own office in the vibrant Bengali Market area of Delhi.” As my business began to thrive, I recognized the need to venture into fresh avenues. Kapil Dev at His Workplace.

• In 1994, Kapil established Dev Musco with the aim of venturing into the floodlighting industry. The inspiration for this business struck Kapil during a trip to the US, where he encountered floodlit grounds at various educational institutions. The experience was truly eye-opening for him, as he was captivated by the sight of children playing under the vibrant glow of floodlights. This encounter sparked a fresh vision within Kapil, igniting his dream to create a similar infrastructure.

• Dev Musco, founded by Kapil Dev, commenced its journey by supplying floodlights to the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. The company expanded its services to encompass floodlighting installations in football, hockey, and golf. Dev Musco Lighting Pvt Ltd is wholly owned by Kapil Dev.

• In addition to other ventures, Kapil Dev has also ventured into the property business, which involved the successful acquisition of a complex located in Noida.

• He became the coach of the Indian National Cricket Team in 1999, but his tenure lasted for only 10 months, spanning from October 1999 to August 2000.

• Kapil Dev, in 2002, was honored with the prestigious title of Indian Cricketer of the Century, bringing great joy to his family.

• enjoyed a strong bond of friendship. Kapil Dev was among the select few Indians who received an invitation to attend Imran Khan’s inauguration as the Prime Minister of Pakistan in 2018. Regrettably, Kapil Dev politely declined the invitation.

• Some of the Bollywood films in which he has made cameo appearances include “Dillagi… Yeh Dillagi”, “Iqbal”, “Chain Khuli Ki Main Khuli”, and “Mujhse Shadi Karogi.”

• Kapil Dev’s autobiography collection includes three books: “By God’s Decree” (1985), “Cricket My Style” (1987), and “Straight From The Heart” (2004).

• Kapil Dev’s wax statue was revealed by him in May 2017 at Madame Tussauds Museum in New Delhi. In New Delhi, Kapil Dev posed alongside his wax figure at Madame Tussauds.
• The announcement of the biopic “83” starring Ranveer Singh in the lead role was made in 2019. A photo was captured of Ranveer Singh standing next to the poster of the film, which features Kapil Dev.

Kapil Dev: Sport Successes and Achievements

Kapil Dev is a legendary figure in the world of cricket, known for his exceptional skills as an all-rounder and his leadership on the field. Born on January 6, 1959 in Chandigarh, India, Kapil Dev made his debut for the Indian national team in 1978 and quickly established himself as one of the best cricketers in the world.

One of Kapil Dev’s most notable achievements came in 1983 when he led the Indian team to victory in the Cricket World Cup. Under his captaincy, India defeated the mighty West Indies in the final, causing a major upset in the cricketing world. Kapil Dev’s brilliant performance in the tournament earned him the title of Player of the Tournament and solidified his status as a cricketing icon.

In addition to his World Cup success, Kapil Dev also had a stellar career as a bowler and a batsman. He was the first player in the history of Test cricket to score over 5,000 runs and take over 400 wickets, a feat that has only been achieved by a handful of players since. His aggressive and attacking style of play made him a fan favorite and earned him the respect of his peers.

Overall, Kapil Dev’s career is a testament to his talent, dedication, and passion for the game of cricket. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest cricketers in the history of the sport and a true inspiration to aspiring athletes around the world.