Harsh Thakor
First Class Star
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2012
- Runs
- 3,519
- Post of the Week
- 2
From memory I just recollected Kapil Dev's superb all-round effort versus arguably the best test team ever in West Indies in 1983.He averaged around 42 with the bat including an unbeaten century and captured 24 wickets.The likes of Ian Botham,Richard Hadlee or Imran Khan have not equalled that stature of all-round cricketing performance against the great West Indian team led by Clive Lloyd or Viv Richards.Botham under performed with both bat and ball while Hadlee and Imran excelled basically with the ball although they bought had a test hundred against the world -beaters.
Very close on Kapil's heels is Richard Hadlee's match-winning 19 wickets and averaging above 44 with the bat in New Zealand in 1980 .However I rated Kapil's performance higher because he performed overseas and not on home turf.Hadlee also did not have to bowl to Viv Richards in that series as he was absent due to an eye injury.
Overall I think Kapil Dev overshadowed every other all-rounder as a batsmen against the great West Indies team.
Strange that both Botham or Imran never gave a superlative all-round cricketing performance in a single test series against the calypso giants Speaks volumes about the great talent of Kapil Dev Nikhanj.I can never forget his imperious driving and hooking of the fast men and his great outswingers which got greats like Viv Richards or Clive Lloyd hopping.Swashbuckling with the bat and lethal with the ball.
Very close on Kapil's heels is Richard Hadlee's match-winning 19 wickets and averaging above 44 with the bat in New Zealand in 1980 .However I rated Kapil's performance higher because he performed overseas and not on home turf.Hadlee also did not have to bowl to Viv Richards in that series as he was absent due to an eye injury.
Overall I think Kapil Dev overshadowed every other all-rounder as a batsmen against the great West Indies team.
Strange that both Botham or Imran never gave a superlative all-round cricketing performance in a single test series against the calypso giants Speaks volumes about the great talent of Kapil Dev Nikhanj.I can never forget his imperious driving and hooking of the fast men and his great outswingers which got greats like Viv Richards or Clive Lloyd hopping.Swashbuckling with the bat and lethal with the ball.