The mighty Kapil

An out-and-out fast bowler, swashbuckling batsman and an inspiring captain, Kapil Dev is easily the greatest all-rounder produced by India till date. He was a phenomenon which a country with the second largest population in the world has failed to produce again ever since his last day in Test cricket - exactly 26 years ago today. On the occasion of the final day of his illustrious 131-Test career which ended with a one-off Test against New Zealand in Hamilton, after recording 434 wickets and 5,248 runs to his name, here is a look at some of his famous performances that can be seen on YouTube: 

Unfit Kapil too much for the Aussies

A stunning come-from-behind victory for India orchestrated by Kapil Dev with figures of 5 for 28 against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1981. Defending only 142 and already 0-1 down coming into the last Test of the series, an injured Kapil was persuaded to bowl on the final morning of the Test. He ran through Australia’s middle and lower order accounting for the wickets of Bruce Yardley, Allan Border and Rod Marsh. He snaffled five of the last six wickets to fall as Australia were rolled over for 83 thereby conceding a series-levelling win. 

Video credits: cricket.com.au

The 8-for on a featherbed 

The Hurricane from Haryana struck Australia in Adelaide in India’s first Test Down Under in 1985. On what is generally regarded as one of the better batting tracks in Australia, Kapil bowled with relentless control taking 8 for 106 - still the best bowling figures by a fast bowler at the venue - restricting the home side to 381. In reply, India posted 520 with the help of Sunil Gavaskar’s 166. The match ended in a draw but set the tone for India in the series and the Indian skipper, Kapil won the man-of-the-match award for his perseverance. 

Video credits: cricket.com.au

Ton-Up at The Oval

Kapil notched up eight hundreds in his Test career, the seventh of which came against England at The Oval in 1990. After a marathon 187 from Ravi Shastri, his 110, consisting of 16 fours, propelled India to a gargantuan score of 606 for 9 which batted England out of the Test match. After his fifty that came off 75 deliveries, he took only 55 deliveries to complete his second Test hundred against England. He further scalped three wickets in the match adding to his all-round performance in the game that ended in a draw. 

Video credits: ESPNSTAR.com