Kapil Dev's contribution to Indian cricket goes much beyond leading India to their first World Cup title in 1983. It might be the crowning glory of his career; but one of the greatest all-rounders and arguably the first Indian fast bowler who could win matches on his own, Kapil delivered many more memorable performances to lead his team to some famous wins.
One such moment came during India's 1980-81 tour of Australia, which went down in history books as the first instance of an Indian team drawing a Test series Down Under. It wouldn't have been possible unless an injured Kapil, with his thigh strapped heavily, bowled that brave spell of 5 for 28.
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Led by batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, India came into the third and final Test of the series 1-0 down, having lost the first match by an innings & four runs and hanging in to draw the second.
Australia's reply to India's 237 in the first innings, thanks to Gundappa Viswanath's 114, was led by Allan Border's century (124). The hosts ended up taking a huge 182-run lead after posting 419 on the board. Indian hopes were further dented with Kapil's hamstring injury.
India began their second innings in the most promising fashion, as openers Gavaskar (70) and Chetan Chauhan (85) stitched a 165-run partnership to take India to within 17 runs of Australia's lead.
But a controversial LBW decision against Gavaskar not just triggered an Indian collapse but also produced a controversial moment when the India captain threatened a walk-out by the visitors before agreeing to continue.
Gavaskar claimed he had edged the ball and was wrongly given out, which led to the Indian legend and Dennis Lillie (4 for 104) exchanging a few heated words.
The breakthrough and long interruption led to a shift in momentum and India were bowled out for 324, leaving Australia with just 143 to win and clinch the series.
But despite Kapil in the medical room injured, India managed to reduce the Aussies to 24 for 3 by stumps, with Karsan Ghavri (2 for 10) leading the comeback with a double strike off back-to-back deliveries, which sent back John Dyson and Greg Chappell.
Sensing a win and his team needing his services, Kapil took pain-relieving injections and was able to take the field with a bandaged thigh. Australia slipped to 40 for 4 on the next morning after Dilip Doshi (2 for 33) removed Kim Hughes.
It was then over to Kapil and his heroic act, which included the decisive blow of first-innings' centurion Border (9), caught brilliantly by wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani down the leg side.
The rest, as they say, is history.
“That catch of Allan Border which I took down the leg-side off Kapil's bowling is one of the best catches of my cricketing career. Channel Nine used to start with my catch on their Classic Catches," Kirmani had said talking to Cricket Country in an interview.
"Kapil and Doshi bowled a good line. When the bowlers get the upper hand, the confidence levels boost up. We put pressure on them and they couldn’t come out of it."
Kapil went on to do the finishing act by trapping Jim Higgs in front to complete his five-wicket haul.
Australia, skittled for a mere 83, were upset by 59 runs.
