Kapil Dev Quick Facts
| Full Name | Kapildev Ramlal Nikhanj |
| Profession | Former cricketer, cricket coach, commentator and author |
| Date of Birth | 6 January 1959 |
| Age | 67 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Chandigarh, India |
| Playing Style | Right-handed batsman; right-arm fast-medium bowler |
| Active Years | 1978–1994 (international) |
| Domestic Team | Haryana |
| County Clubs | Northamptonshire and Worcestershire |
| Spouse | Romi Bhatia (married 1980) |
| Nationality | Indian |
Why Kapil Dev Matters
Kapil Dev’s significance rests on his ability to contribute as a fast bowler and a lower-order batsman at the same time, a combination few players have matched at Test level. He became the first player to take 400 Test wickets and score 5,000 Test runs, and his 1983 World Cup win changed the place of cricket in Indian public life. The team he led is widely credited with turning the sport into a national mass interest, and his record as a captain and as a player remains a reference point for every Indian all-rounder who followed him.
Kapil Dev Career Statistics
| Format | Matches | Runs | Batting Average | Wickets | Bowling Average | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 131 | 5,248 | 31.05 | 434 | 29.64 | 9/83 |
| ODI | 225 | 3,783 | 23.79 | 253 | 27.45 | 5/43 |
Figures are career totals as listed in the source used for this profile, which reflects the record up to his retirement from international cricket.
Early Life and Family
Kapil Dev was born on 6 January 1959 in Chandigarh. His father, Ram Lal Nikhanj, ran a teak business, and his mother was Rajkumari. He trained in Chandigarh before playing domestic cricket for Haryana.
Breakthrough as a Fast Bowler and All-Rounder
He made his Test debut for India in 1978 and quickly became the team’s main fast bowler. His ability to combine pace with batting strength made him one of the most valuable players of his era, and he was given the captaincy in 1982 before leading the side to World Cup success the following year.
Kapil Dev Career Milestones
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1983 | Captained India to its first World Cup title, beating the West Indies in the final |
| 1994 | Retired from Test cricket after breaking Richard Hadlee’s record for most Test wickets |
| 1999–2000 | Coached the Indian team until he resigned in September 2000 amid match-fixing allegations; a CBI probe and a BCCI investigator later found no credible evidence against him |
| 2010 | Inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame |
Kapil Dev Records and Milestones
- First player to take 400 Test wickets and score 5,000 Test runs.
- Captained India to the 1983 World Cup at the age of 24, the youngest captain to win the tournament for any team.
- Scored 303 runs and took 12 wickets in the 1983 World Cup.
- Named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1983.
Kapil Dev Awards and Honours
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 1979–80 | Arjuna Award |
| 1982 | Padma Shri |
| 1983 | Wisden Cricketer of the Year |
| 1991 | Padma Bhushan |
| 2002 | Wisden Indian Cricketer of the Century |
| 2010 | ICC Cricket Hall of Fame |
| 2013 | C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award |
| 2019 | Bharat Gaurav Award |
Kapil Dev Playing Style
Kapil Dev bowled a fast-medium outswinger with a repeatable action and used swing and seam to take wickets on a range of pitches. As a batsman he played an aggressive, lower-order style that often changed the course of matches. His late-career statistics show how much of his value came from holding both skills at a high level for more than a decade.
Life After Retirement
After retiring in 1994, Kapil Dev coached the Indian team from 1999 to 2000. He has since remained a public figure through awards, cricket commentary and appearances. The 2021 film 83 depicted the 1983 World Cup win, in which Ranveer Singh played him.
Kapil Dev Net Worth and Brand Value
No credible published net worth estimate was found for Kapil Dev in the sources reviewed. Figures on general finance websites cite no primary source and could not be verified. Brand value has not been reported in the Kroll celebrity rankings reviewed for this profile.
| Estimated Net Worth | Not publicly estimated from a credible source |
| Brand Value | Not publicly estimated |
| Key Brand Endorsements | Not verified in sources reviewed |
| Main Income Sources | Cricket career earnings, coaching, awards and public appearances; no current figures verified |
Personal Life
Kapil Dev married Romi Bhatia in 1980. The couple has one daughter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kapil Dev
What is Kapil Dev’s net worth?
No credible, dated and named published estimate was found, so this profile does not publish a figure.
When did Kapil Dev win the World Cup?
He captained India to victory in the 1983 Cricket World Cup, beating the West Indies in the final.
How many Test wickets did Kapil Dev take?
He took 434 Test wickets and scored 5,248 Test runs, according to the source used for this profile.
How old is Kapil Dev?
Kapil Dev was born on 6 January 1959, so he is 67 years old as of 2026.
Final Summary
From his Test debut in 1978 to the 1983 World Cup, Kapil Dev remains one of the defining figures in Indian cricket history.
