Memories Of Greatest Cricketers - - #8 Shane Warne

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Kapil Dev, nicknamed, Haryana Hurricane was a phenomenon and a breath of fresh air in an era of spinners dominating the Indian Cricket scene. He was fast with a lethal outswinger and made people notice him instantly. Coming from a normal town with no back up and facilities to pamper him, Kapil rose on his own to become India's greatest Cricketer of his time. He is the first and one and only full fledged All Rounder that our Country could boast of and one who could change the context of the match with his bowling/batting as also fielding. He was always a livewire in every sense. The joy he gave to the public is enormous and people loved him for what he is. He could decimate the best of attacks on his day and make best of bestman look silly and also take stupendous catches. The innings of 175 n.o against Zimbabwae is rated as one of the finest innings of one dayers for his grit, determination and his style of hitting out of trouble. It is said a million times that the catch he took to dismiss Viv in World Cup was the turning point of the final. His 9/81 against West Indies in 1984(i beleive) is one of the finest expositions of fast bowling against mighty batting is one of the many such efforts.

Even now, during the commemoration of the 25 years of World Cup win, he is so humble about his achievements and he thanks God for all. He is not only a finest cricketer but a great human being who did not know the nitty gritty politics of our cricket est. and was hounded out often for no fault of his.

Kapil is a joy to behold and his mere prescence has attracted scores of people to the game and was proudly named the WISDEN CRICKETER OF THE CENTURY. As far as Indian Crikcet is concerned, Kapil is irreplaceable and one, who played with full commitment and prided himself in representing the Country. For Kapil, Country is above all and for cricket lovers, Kapil is above all.



(while I had the fortune of seeing Kapil in action in his later days, the input from my brother/uncle made me read and watch his exploits in TV/CDs. He had made a big impact on those who watched him who keep him in very high esteem)