Top 3 bowling performances of Kapil Dev in Tests

In modern cricket, the Indian fast bowlers rule the roost but it was not always the same. The former India captain Kapil Dev showed the Indians how to become a fast bowler. It was he who showed the path, which was followed later by many. In this article, we will rewind and take a closure look at Kapil Dev’s top 3 bowling performances. 

9/83 vs West Indies, 1983

In his best bowling performance, Kapil Dev had wiped off the entire West Indian batting order in the second innings of the test match at Ahmedabad. At the end of the first innings, India conceded a small lead and the Indian bowlers needed a strong comeback to hold West Indies from posing a challenging target in the second innings. Kapil had stepped up with his extraordinary bowling spell where he had scalped 9 wickets and dismissed the likes of Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd, and Gordon Greenidge among others to restrict West Indies to 201 runs. 

8/85 vs Pakistan, 1983

This is a special bowling effort from the all-rounder as it came against Pakistan on the away turf. India won the toss and elected to field first in order to take the early advantage. Kapil Dev had responded to the call and gave two early breakthroughs to India in the form of Mohsin Khan and Majid Khan. Later Javed Miandad and Mudassar Nazar and has developed a partnership to bring Pakistan back into the contest but it was ultimately broken by Kapil. He ended the first innings with 8 wickets in his account which included the dismissal of Imran Khan and Zaheer Abbas as well. 

8/106 vs Australia, 1985

Another 8-wicket haul from Kapil Dev in an away match but this time against Australia at Adelaide. Kapil’s effort in the first innings was crucial in keeping Australia in check throughout the match as he bowled superbly well. His bowling performance enabled India to prevent Australia below the 400-run mark which was important considering the strength of the Australia bowling attack. The match ultimately ended in a draw and Kapil Dev was awarded the player of the match for his sublime bowling performance.