Imran Khan vs Kapil Dev : The Ultimate Comparison

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Well some Indian fans compare Kapil Dev to IK. the former not even close to him as an AR or bowler statistically.

No, they don't. The only thing Kapil Dev was superior over Imran Khan is the fielding department. As batsmen, both of them were pretty much equal where Kapil looked to dominate attacks and score quick runs while Imran was an innings builder who was limited in his stroke play but had better temperament.

What has Kapil not achieved that Imran has achieved so special.

Winning a world cup as captain : Kapil won it before Imran, with one of the weakest team against the best team of the era. The True Cornered Tigers Moment.

More Test Wickets than Imran.
More Test Runs and More Test Centuries and More Test 50s.

So, I really do not understand,by which parameter, Kapil is lesser than Imran.
Kapil > Imran.. any time and any day in my opinion.

 

[Hitman]

What has Kapil not achieved that Imran has achieved so special.

Winning a world cup as captain : Kapil won it before Imran, with one of the weakest team against the best team of the era. The True Cornered Tigers Moment.

More Test Wickets than Imran.
More Test Runs and More Test Centuries and More Test 50s.

So, I really do not understand,by which parameter, Kapil is lesser than Imran.
Kapil > Imran.. any time and any day in my opinion.

Compare their bowling averages in Tests. Imran is one of the greatest bowler ever, while Kapil with a Test bowling average of 30 odd is an average bowler. I myself don't like Imran because of his big mouth. But to compare him with Kapil Dev is silly.

As for winning a World Cup, someone like Inzamam won it in his first attempt while someone like the great Sachin has to wait till his last attempt. We all know Inzamam isn't good enough to tie Sachin's boot laces.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

What has Kapil not achieved that Imran has achieved so special.

Winning a world cup as captain : Kapil won it before Imran, with one of the weakest team against the best team of the era. The True Cornered Tigers Moment.

More Test Wickets than Imran.
More Test Runs and More Test Centuries and More Test 50s.

So, I really do not understand,by which parameter, Kapil is lesser than Imran.
Kapil > Imran.. any time and any day in my opinion.

Before the fans go nuts on me here.. This is my personal opinion. And the records of respective players can be checked. Kapil has scored more runs, in a much more exciting and devil manner.
As a batsman and fielder, I would pay to watch Kapil. Imran a better bowler, but only slightly ahead.
Kapil held the record for most Test Wickets for some time.
Fielding wise also, Kapil better.

Even won the World Cup, aged 24, a solid 9 years before Imran did with a bunch of no hopers with Gavaskar the only truly world class player at that time.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Compare their bowling averages in Tests. Imran is one of the greatest bowler ever, while Kapil with a Test bowling average of 30 odd is an average bowler. I myself don't like Imran because of his big mouth. But to compare him with Kapil Dev is silly.

As for winning a World Cup, someone like Inzamam won it in his first attempt while someone like the great Sachin has to wait till his last attempt. We all know Inzamam isn't good enough to tie Sachin's boot laces.

I just posted the stats. People seem to going by that here to Make the Babar and Virat Comparison.
There is a lot of talk about captaincy as well, well guess what Kapil Dev won it as a captain, leading from front against one of the greatest teams of any era.
Then, as if in someones opinion.. Babar > Virat.
Then, in my personal opinion.. Kapil > Imran.

Now I invite everyone here to Jump on my opinions.. and trash it bit by bit.. I welcome that.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

No, they don't. The only thing Kapil Dev was superior over Imran Khan is the fielding department. As batsmen, both of them were pretty much equal where Kapil looked to dominate attacks and score quick runs while Imran was an innings builder who was limited in his stroke play but had better temperament.

Imran was superior in all aspects even batting, in tests Imrans average was so ahead it's not even a competition. but that is another thread. Indians used to dream of Dev being better than Imran but that was a delusion and so is comparibg Kohli and Babar.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

What has Kapil not achieved that Imran has achieved so special.

Winning a world cup as captain : Kapil won it before Imran, with one of the weakest team against the best team of the era. The True Cornered Tigers Moment.

More Test Wickets than Imran.
More Test Runs and More Test Centuries and More Test 50s.

So, I really do not understand,by which parameter, Kapil is lesser than Imran.
Kapil > Imran.. any time and any day in my opinion.

This is the exact delusion why people don't take Indian fans seriously.

In terms if both batting average and bowling average it's not even a competition Imran is extremely far ahead. Kapil has more runs and wicks because he played more matches. In fact Kapil won't even make a place in the Pakistan team of the 80s LOL

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

As far as India fans are concerned,there were numerous that considered Kapil greater or equal to IK. The former not even being close to the latter statistically. This is what I define as delusion. Kapil played more matches so has more wickets and hundreds but his bowling and batting was extremely mediocre. He was a lion hearted player with excellent fitness and hitting ability though.

In terms of player performance only
Imran>>>>>Kapil
Kohli>>>>>Babar (atleast for now)
Those Pak and Ind fans who believe otherwise are deluded.

 

[Mamoon]

As far as India fans are concerned,there were numerous that considered Kapil greater or equal to IK. The former not even being close to the latter statistically. This is what I define as delusion. Kapil played more matches so has more wickets and hundreds but his bowling and batting was extremely mediocre. He was a lion hearted player with excellent fitness and hitting ability though.

In terms of player performance only
Imran>>>>>Kapil
Kohli>>>>>Babar (atleast for now)
Those Pak and Ind fans who believe otherwise are deluded.

The gap between Imran and Kapil is nowhere near as big as the gap between Kohli and Babar.

In fact, Kapil has a strong case of being better than Imran in ODIs.

In Tests, Imran was far better. Overall, Imran was better for sure.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

Before the fans go nuts on me here.. This is my personal opinion. And the records of respective players can be checked. Kapil has scored more runs, in a much more exciting and devil manner.
As a batsman and fielder, I would pay to watch Kapil. Imran a better bowler, but only slightly ahead.
Kapil held the record for most Test Wickets for some time.
Fielding wise also, Kapil better.

Even won the World Cup, aged 24, a solid 9 years before Imran did with a bunch of no hopers with Gavaskar the only truly world class player at that time.

Kapil played 50 more test matches than Imran LOL obviously he'll have more wickets and runs.

Also any neutral commentator like Richie Benaud or statistician will take Imran in his all time test XI. The same cannot be said about Dev. His bowling average of 29 in tests is even lower than our sub legends like Shoaib Akhtar.

 

[Firebat]

By all means discuss away everyone...

 

[TheNightWatchman]

Before the fans go nuts on me here.. This is my personal opinion. And the records of respective players can be checked. Kapil has scored more runs, in a much more exciting and devil manner.
As a batsman and fielder, I would pay to watch Kapil. Imran a better bowler, but only slightly ahead.
Kapil held the record for most Test Wickets for some time.
Fielding wise also, Kapil better.

Even won the World Cup, aged 24, a solid 9 years before Imran did with a bunch of no hopers with Gavaskar the only truly world class player at that time.

Imran only slightly ahead as a bowler? Bro. Clearly you haven't watched Imran bowling. He was by far better, no comparison

 

[TheNightWatchman]

The gap between Imran and Kapil is nowhere near as big as the gap between Kohli and Babar.

In fact, Kapil has a strong case of being better than Imran in ODIs.

In Tests, Imran was far better. Overall, Imran was better for sure.

Kapil has a very strong case for being the better ODI player yes. Generally more impact with the bat. Imran was never much of an ODI player. He was good, but in comparison to his test performances he pretty much underperformed with white ball.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

Hadlee and Imran were lightyears ahead in bowling from the rest of the allrounders at that time including Kapil Dev.
Imran could have made it into his team as a bowler alone. Pull out his stats in the 80s and you'll see.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

Kapil has a very strong case for being the better ODI player yes. Generally more impact with the bat. Imran was never much of an ODI player. He was good, but in comparison to his test performances he pretty much underperformed with white ball.

Not really Kapil was a traundler in ODIs
His bowling average is not even equal to a substandard legend in Pakistan like Akhtar.
Imran is the better player by far.

People who think Kapil is better are deluded like Pak fans who think Babar is better than Kohli

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

The gap between Imran and Kapil is nowhere near as big as the gap between Kohli and Babar.

In fact, Kapil has a strong case of being better than Imran in ODIs.

In Tests, Imran was far better. Overall, Imran was better for sure.

Not really

Kohli averages 60 Babar averages 56

Kapil averages 29 Imran 22 in bowling, batting it's even wider, IK has a 30+ average while Dev is well below 25.
The only place where they're comparable is captaincy and K Dev arguably might be better or worse than IK. However Kapil has a very poor test record as captain.

Overall the gap is much much more when it comes to IK and Dev

 

[MesonK]

IK was level ahead of Kapil dev who ended his career with razzaq the razzler like record. Some disagrees and they will be plastered with Detailed Stats like it always happens with me.

 

[Mamoon]

Not really

Kohli averages 60 Babar averages 56

Kapil averages 29 Imran 22 in bowling, batting it's even wider, IK has a 30+ average while Dev is well below 25.
The only place where they're comparable is captaincy and K Dev arguably might be better or worse than IK. However Kapil has a very poor test record as captain.

Overall the gap is much much more when it comes to IK and Dev

Kapil vs Imran is a one-sided comparison in Test cricket but it is very much debatable in ODIs. Kapil had a batting SR of 95 in an era where a SR of 70 was considered excellent.

A batting average of 23 at a SR of 95 with a bowling average of 27 in the era that he played in was very impressive.

Besides, it is not just about stats about impact and legacy as well. Babar has been a fixture in the team for 5 years now and he has only played 1 or maybe 2 genuinely iconic innings.

He has not done anything in his career so far to be considered a legendary player in the making. So far he has been a big stats-padder.

Kapil was as old as Babar was in 2018 when he captained India to the 1983 World Cup while beating arguably the greatest team of all time twice including in the final.

He changed the dynamics of Indian cricket and has established a legacy as one of the most iconic Asian cricketers ever. He is an absolute titan of Indian cricket - a pillar.

Juxtaposing the Imran-Kapil comparison with Kohli-Babar comparison is completely ridiculous and highly disrespectful to Kapil’s legacy as a cricketer.

 

[Technics 1210]

Someone who wasn't born in the 80s has no clue or inkling of the impact Dev and Khan had let alone someone born in the 90s.

Most of you weren't alive in 83 when Dev won the WC. He was the chingari of Indian cricket hence the Indian cricketer of the century.

As for Imran, no need to go into details, but the only people here dissing IK, are the ones who voted for him a few years ago.

Stats are nothing without context.

 

[Mamoon]

Kapil has a very strong case for being the better ODI player yes. Generally more impact with the bat. Imran was never much of an ODI player. He was good, but in comparison to his test performances he pretty much underperformed with white ball.

Imran was a great ODI bowler in his prime and although his World Cup semifinal innings was terrible, the World Cup final innings was excellent and set up the win for Pakistan. Kapil edges it in the ODI format in my view because he was more explosive with the bat and had a SR that would be considered good even by today’s standards.

Nevertheless, if people pick Imran over him in ODIs as well it is perfectly reasonable, but to claim that Imran-Kapil comparison is like comparing Kohli-Babar is a joke.

Both Imran and Kapil were legendary cricketers, while Babar is nowhere near legendary status which Kohli has already attained.

 

[bujhee kom]

This is a silly comparison. IK is far superior as a cricketer. Dev was good but not great in any discipline. I feel Shak is superior to him in context.

 

[shariqnoor]

The gap between Imran and Kapil is nowhere near as big as the gap between Kohli and Babar.

In fact, Kapil has a strong case of being better than Imran in ODIs.

In Tests, Imran was far better. Overall, Imran was better for sure.

Comparing Babar to Kohli is like making a comparison between Imran Khan and Shakib al Hasan.

Shakib has terrific overall numbers but does not hold a candle to Imran. It's the same case with Babar. Terrific numbers but has nothing on Kohli.

 

[Bleedgreen4ever]

Comparing Babar to Kohli is like making a comparison between Imran Khan and Shakib al Hasan.

Shakib has terrific overall numbers but does not hold a candle to Imran. It's the same case with Babar. Terrific numbers but has nothing on Kohli.

Tbh Shakib is comparable to Kapil Dev in ODIs
Shakib was a beast in the 2019 WC

 

[salahuddin10]

Doesn't make sense to compare them.Its like comparing amir sohail and sachin.I have interacted with a lot of indian fans and all have admitted than Imran was easily the better player

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

As an Indian I would easily say Imran was the better test all rounder. Kapil behind him. However, Kapil was the one man army for india and no wonder his knees were shot in his prime. The same with Imran and his shin.
The one thing that Kapil was head and shoulders over Imran was as an out fielder and as an excellent slip fielder. Its a very under rated skill of Kapil and especially Botham, that they were fantastic in the slips.
In odi's I guess, the comparison is closer. However Imran trumps Kapil.
What Kapil has achieved for India is beyond comparison.

 

[avihash]

Real comparison of Imran khan should be with ravindra jadeja.
Almost similar stats in both departments and nowhere near to being prime minister of the country.
Jadeja is severly under estimated !!

 

[Ab Fan]

Kapil Dev is a better batsman while Imran is a better bowler.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Kapil Dev is the Goat Odi allrounder.
In the modern Era he would be the most popular player in leagues and t20is, basically a Rich man's Afridi.

In tests Imran was way superior.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

Kapil Dev is a better batsman while Imran is a better bowler.

ODIs is hit and miss for Kapil but ok considering his SR you could play him. Imran still beats Kapil in test match batting easy.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

Imran was a great ODI bowler in his prime and although his World Cup semifinal innings was terrible, the World Cup final innings was excellent and set up the win for Pakistan. Kapil edges it in the ODI format in my view because he was more explosive with the bat and had a SR that would be considered good even by today’s standards.

Nevertheless, if people pick Imran over him in ODIs as well it is perfectly reasonable, but to claim that Imran-Kapil comparison is like comparing Kohli-Babar is a joke.

Both Imran and Kapil were legendary cricketers, while Babar is nowhere near legendary status which Kohli has already attained.

Post 1987 WC his ODI bowling went downhill but considering the bowler he was in the 80s had he played more ODIs I think he would have been comparable to Hadlee

 

[MesonK]

Stats don't give justice to Kapil Dev the same way Babar doesn't give justice to his stats

Stats matter opinions do not

Imran Khan was a God in front of 30-ish averaging bowler and 20s averaging batsman Kapil Dev.

I like Kapil Dev for his jolly personality but no way he was anywhere close to Imran.

 

[burger_uno]

Kapil Dev was a phenomenal cricketer. In modern terms, he was a superior version of B.Kumar as a bowler and superior version Hardik Pandaya as batsman. In terms of competitiveness, desire and approach, KD was equal to Virat Kohli minus the cartoonish on-field antics. Remarkably, all these great qualities was present in one package. Given what he bought to the team, Kapil Dev would be one of the first names on my team of Pakistan's greatest opponents.

When comparing Kapil to Imran, while on the surface the two players were similar, their approach to the game was different. IK was like an exotic eighties Italian supercar while KD was the Land Cruiser. When Imran was on, he could do anything with the ball - run through any side. Problem however was that he could never operate at peak level for very long and as result, saved himself for high profile series usually played in helpful conditions. As an illustration, IK only played 10 test matches at home as a bowler after his famous exploits against India in 1982. In comparison, in the same period, KD played close to 40 test matches. Which approach was better? I am not sure but IK's performances in high profile series did bring a lot of joy to Pakistani supporters. At the same time, KD's durability is nothing to be scoffed at. In unhelpful conditions, he performed day in and day out at a very high level. His overall stats as good as they are do not tell the whole story.

Imran Khan's career was also boosted be the arrival of Wasim Akram. Having an ATG fast-bowler at the other end put a lot of pressure on opposing batsmen. Kapil otoh never had the luxury especially in foreign conditions where Indian spinners were much less effective.

Overall, I think IK made bigger impact on Pak cricket than KD did on Indian cricket. This is because IK was the one-man cricket board during his playing days. He was the captain and the chief selector while also giving his input on Pak's long term travel itinerary. It was the desire of IK to compete against the best which is why Pak ended up playing an inordinate number of matches (odis/test) against the great WI side of that era. Kapil Dev in comparison was first among equals and did not have as much of a say in running Indian cricket.

So in the end, who was better? Those who saw these two players in their prime wont care about this comparison. It was a privilege to watch these two great athletes in action. More important question to ponder is how can conditions be created where next generation of fans can also watch such giants? Unfortunately due to emphasis on junk T20 cricket, the outlook is not very positive.

 

[TheNightWatchman]

Stats matter opinions do not

Imran Khan was a God in front of 30-ish averaging bowler and 20s averaging batsman Kapil Dev.

I like Kapil Dev for his jolly personality but no way he was anywhere close to Imran.

Yea I don't disagree. I'd still pick Imran over Kapil dev any day of the week. I was just commenting on the fact that Kapil was much better than stats suggest. Sanath Jayasuriya was also one who's stats are pretty deceiving.
People love to dismiss Kapil Dev as an average cricketer but he was definitely one of the best allrounders and ODI players of his time. Growing up on tapes of alot of 80s cricket I can assure you the man was amazing on his day.

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

Ultimate comparison is that there is no comparison. IK is far ahead

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

Before the fans go nuts on me here.. This is my personal opinion. And the records of respective players can be checked. Kapil has scored more runs, in a much more exciting and devil manner.
As a batsman and fielder, I would pay to watch Kapil. Imran a better bowler, but only slightly ahead.
Kapil held the record for most Test Wickets for some time.
Fielding wise also, Kapil better.

Even won the World Cup, aged 24, a solid 9 years before Imran did with a bunch of no hopers with Gavaskar the only truly world class player at that time.

Haha someone claiming Kapil better than Kamran? And age logic? By that token Inzi is better Sachin since he won WC 20 years before sachin despite starting career same year

Imran is Ferrari. kapil is a Toyota Corolla. Both good cars but only one is first class

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Haha someone claiming Kapil better than Kamran? And age logic? By that token Inzi is better Sachin since he won WC 20 years before sachin despite starting career same year

Imran is Ferrari. kapil is a Toyota Corolla. Both good cars but only one is first class

I disagree. I have already listed Kapil's achievements. Kapil was like a Chingari for Indian cricket, had never seen anyone like him. Be it bowling, fearless and devil may care batting for fielding. Kapil was top class.
A true ATG and legend. So for me, in my opinion Kapil > Imran.
You can disagree, and that is fine.

 

[Buffet]

The gap between Imran and Kapil is nowhere near as big as the gap between Kohli and Babar.

In fact, Kapil has a strong case of being better than Imran in ODIs.

In Tests, Imran was far better. Overall, Imran was better for sure.

Dev was better in ODI and IK was better in Tests. I don't think any case needs to be made. It's clear from their rating trend over 10-15 years in both formats. Since most agree about IK being better in tests so I won't post that, let's see ODI rating trend.



One player's bottom is another player's top.

With that kind of gap, it's futile to argue. Yes, some posters who don't understand the difference between ODI and test will look at the average of batting and bowling, but then the same posters will praise 50(50) kind of scores in T-20 in the current era based on average.

 

[Buffet]

Babar is not a better player than Kohli in any format, but that's really a high benchmark. Kohli is once in a generation player who is great in all 3 formats. Very few players are great in all formats.

I think it not necessary for Babar to be compared to Kohli. He simply needs to win games for Pakistan.

 

[Mamoon]

Dev was better in ODI and IK was better in Tests. I don't think any case needs to be made. It's clear from their rating trend over 10-15 years in both formats. Since most agree about IK being better in tests so I won't post that, let's see ODI rating trend.

View attachment 108622

One player's bottom is another player's top.

With that kind of gap, it's futile to argue. Yes, some posters who don't understand the difference between ODI and test will look at the average of batting and bowling, but then the same posters will praise 50(50) kind of scores in T-20 in the current era based on average.

Absolutely.

The difference in peak rating (Kapil 632, Imran 480) also tells a story.

Kapil > Imran in ODI cricket.

Kapil’s batting strike rate in ODIs was crazy for his era.

 

[Buffet]

Absolutely.

The difference in peak rating (Kapil 632, Imran 480) also tells a story.

Kapil > Imran in ODI cricket.

Kapil’s batting strike rate in ODIs was crazy for his era.

In ODI ER matters a lot for bowlers. Dev was better. It was more visible against the great WI side.

Both played 40+ ODI games against WI. IK ER was 4.3 against WI. Dev ER was 3.6 against the champion team.

The combination of bowling and batting is captured in the long-term rating trend. I won't read much into the rating trend if it was close, but the gap is really huge for players playing in the same era.

Nothing needs to be said about fielding even though it is not captured in the rating trend. Dev was a gun fielder and IK was at best an average fielder.

As an all-rounder, there is no case for IK against Dev in ODI format. The reverse is true in the test format. IK was simply far better test bowler than Dev. Dev was not an ATG bowler in the test, but IK is an ATG bowler in test format.

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

I disagree. I have already listed Kapil's achievements. Kapil was like a Chingari for Indian cricket, had never seen anyone like him. Be it bowling, fearless and devil may care batting for fielding. Kapil was top class.
A true ATG and legend. So for me, in my opinion Kapil > Imran.
You can disagree, and that is fine.

Its like saying Inzi>Sachin. Anyone can have an opinion but they can be wrong

 

[RajBan]

Kapil's ODI bowling was pretty good, as good as Imran in terms wicket taking abilities with a good ER. As a batsman or fielder he was obviously more impactful than Imran again on ODIs notwithstanding Imran's higher average.

Imran ofcourse was a much better bowler in Test matches. Batting wise both played their roles for their respective teams. Kapil was not bad but he really contributed nothing with ball in last two years where he was playing more for the record.

 

[Yasir_ch]

Imran Khan is the GOAT.Kapil might be decent but he should not be compared to GOAT imran who had everything.More than capable batsman, ATG bowler and a great leader.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Imran Khan is the GOAT.Kapil might be decent but he should not be compared to GOAT imran who had everything.More than capable batsman, ATG bowler and a great leader.

Why ? Same argument can be made for Kapil.
Great leader who won a WC at the age of 24 with. young team.
Scored plenty of runs in ODIs and Tests, and held a world record for most wickets, 434 for some time. So, An ATG player as well.

 

[salahuddin10]

Why ? Same argument can be made for Kapil.
Great leader who won a WC at the age of 24 with. young team.
Scored plenty of runs in ODIs and Tests, and held a world record for most wickets, 434 for some time. So, An ATG player as well.

Just look at their stats man

 

[salahuddin10]

People who are saying kapil was a great batsman because of his sr are the same who criticize Afridi for his batting

 

[UzmanBeast]

My view is that IK was a much better test match player than Kapil, though Kapil had quite some longevity in the format.

In ODI, it's quite clearly Kapil Dev.

 

[mastimasti]

I'm sure any cricket discussion has Imran as the best of the fab four. Why entertain this and humiliate Indians any further?