All-time Indo-Pak greatest Test XI

8. Kapil Dev

If it’s Imran Khan for Pakistan, it is Kapil Dev for India, who changed the phase of Indian cricket and brought faith in the heart of people and players. When India failed to produce any fast bowler who could make the bowling line up lethal, Kapil Dev was the one spitting fire at the opponents with his fast bowling. Kapil Dev is undoubtedly one of the most respected players to have ever played the game and the best fast bowling all-rounder produced by India.

In the 1983 World Cup, Kapil Dev led India to their first-ever World Cup and it was nothing less than a fairy tale. India won the world cup against all the odds and facing the mighty West Indies did not help the cause. However, Kapil Dev instilled a winning attitude in the players and had a belief, which each and every player honoured and led India to a victory. He bowled excellent out-swingers, making the batsman difficult to play him and with the bat, he would unleash carnage, even before the T20 era came into existence.

Kapil Dev has always been a prolific player with 434 wickets and over 5200 runs in test cricket at an average of just over 31. His batting was more than the stats because he was a hard-hitting all-rounder who was always sent in to get some quick runs. Against Pakistan, he scored over 1000 runs at an average of 27 whereas, with the ball, he took 99 wickets against them. He is easily making it to the All-time greatest Indo-Pak test XI.