When India's Kapil Dev Became Highest Wicket-Taker In Test Cricket

image-lscurbi7Kapil went past Sir Richard Hadlee in 1994 (x.com)

In a trip down memory lane to thirty years ago, Cricket history witnessed a monumental moment on February 8, 1994 - as Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev etched his name in the books of cricketing history.

In a gripping Test match against Sri Lanka at the Ahmedabad Motera Stadium (now known as Narendra Modi Stadium), Kapil Dev surpassed Sir Richard Hadlee's record by claiming his 432nd Test wicket. The stadium erupted in jubilation as 432 balloons ascended, commemorating Kapil's remarkable achievement.

Facing Sri Lanka, who won the toss and elected to bat, Kapil Dev's relentless bowling skills paid off in the eighth over when he dismissed Hashan Tillakaratne, caught by Sanjay Manjrekar. This historic moment marked Kapil's ascent to the summit of Test cricket, setting a new world record at that time.

The match unfolded with further excitement as India dominated, ultimately whitewashing Sri Lanka 3-0. Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin shone brightly, being named Player of the Match and Player of the Series. Notable contributions came from spinners Venkatapathy Raju and Rajesh Chauhan, who together claimed 17 wickets.

Despite the team's victory, the spotlight remained firmly on Kapil Dev's extraordinary achievement. Just a month later, Kapil Dev bid farewell to Test cricket with a total of 434 wickets, leaving an indelible mark on the cricket’s history.

His reign as the fourth-highest wicket-taker for India across all formats and his captaincy of the historic 1983 World Cup-winning team cement his legacy in cricket lore.