From Bombay to Birmingham, Kapil Dev delivered thunderbolts with the red cherry. Here's a trip down memory lane through his top five Test spells against England
India's tour of England in 2025 is underway, and while pace spearheads like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are in the spotlight, it's worth rewinding to a time when India had only one name lighting up the pace charts—Kapil Dev.
Between 1979 and 1993, Kapil faced England in 27 Tests and took 85 wickets. He wasn't just India's premier all-rounder; he was the heart of the side, often carrying the bowling on his shoulders. Let's walk through his five best Test spells against England, the ones that left crowds stunned and batsmen baffled.
On a flat Eden pitch, Kapil Dev did what seemed improbable—he dismantled England's line-up with a six-wicket haul in the first innings. Bowling 31 overs, he conceded 91 runs but persisted, bringing India back into the game when England appeared poised to post a massive total.
Credit: ESPN
England scored 248 in the first innings and declared at 265/5 in the second. India couldn't push for victory, and the match ended in a draw. Still, Kapil's passionate effort was the highlight of a low-key contest.
When England were chasing 241 for victory, Kapil Dev came charging in. With just 13.2 overs in the second innings, he took five English wickets for 70 runs. His strikes came thick and fast as England collapsed to 102. India secured a 138-run victory.
Kapil also contributed with the bat—scoring 38 and 46 in both innings—showcasing his all-round skills. He was rightly named Player of the Match. It was pace, precision, and power—Mumbai saw it all.
Lord's saw Kapil Dev in full flow. In the first innings, he bowled a marathon 43 overs and took five wickets, including key top-order batters. England scored 433, but Kapil's spell helped limit the damage.
He followed it up with a fine 89 in India's second innings, nearly dragging the team into a competitive position. Despite his effort, England chased 65 with ease. Kapil took eight wickets and scored 130 runs in the match—an incredible solo effort.
Kapil's introduction to English conditions was as demanding as it gets. In his first series in England, he toiled for 48 overs at Edgbaston, taking 5 wickets while conceding 146 runs.
England scored 633/5 declared. India followed on after being bowled out for 297. Kapil's spell didn't change the outcome but demonstrated his stamina and willingness to fight—even when the game seemed lost.
Kapil Dev returned to Lord's in 1986 with a plan. This time, England had to follow his lead. He took 4 for 52 in the second innings as India was set a modest 134 to win.
Credit: Cricbuzz
The visitors chased it down with five wickets remaining. Kapil's impact? Undeniable. He was named Player of the Match, and rightly so. With the ball and with his unbeaten 23*, he saw India home at the Home of Cricket.
