Kapil Dev considers himself as 'better athlete' than ex-Pak captain Imran Khan

Former India captain Kapil Dev is one of greatest all-rounders cricketing world has witnessed. Since Kapil Dev's retirement, India hasn't produced ar all-rounder like him despite promise that likes of Ravi Shastri and Irfan Pathan gave during ir careers. Kapil Dev also guided India to it's first-ever World Cup title in 1983 as y beat defending champions West Indies in final. re is denying that Kapil Dev was among top all-rounders during his time.

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Kapil Dev calls him a better athlete than Ian Botham, Richard Hadlee and Imran Khan combined

Kapil Dev played in an era when likes of England's Ian Botham, New Zealand's Richard Hadlee and former Pakistan captain Imran Khan were at ir absolute best. All three were proven match-winners for ir respective teams and are till date considered as best all-rounders game has ever seen. Recently, Kapil Dev was asked to compare himself with Ian Botham, Richard Hadlee and Imran Khan and  1983 World Cup-winning captain surprised everyone with his answer.

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While speaking to former India cricketer and current women’s team head coach WV Raman on  Inside Out podcast, Kapil Dev said that he wouldn’t say he was greatest, but he was a better athlete than all three put toger. However, he lauded Richard Hadlee, Ian Botham and Imran Khan for ir brilliant skills during ir playing days.

Kapil Dev furr said that when Richard Hadlee started out, he looked like an ordinary bowler. However, he reckoned that later, Hadlee became a very hardworking fast bowler as he learnt tricks of trade all by himself and eventually worked on his batting as well. Kapil Dev heaped praise galore on Ian Botham saying that he was a true all-rounder and in given conditions, he could win a match on his own.

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Kapil Dev also said that Botham could do equal dam to opposition both with bat and ball. Speaking about Imran Khan, Kapil Dev stated that former Pakistan captain had ability to run through opposition team. However, he pointed out that Imran Khan's ability as a leader was far better because controlling Pakistan team was a challenge.

Kapil Dev stats

Kapil Dev stats are astonishing for an all-rounder to say least. Kapil Dev represented India in 131 Tests and 225 ODIs where he scored 5248 and 3783 runs respectively. Kapil Dev stats also include 434 and 253 wickets he bagged in Tests and ODIs.

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 IM COURTESY: KAPIL DEV TWITTER/AP