KAPIL DEV RAMLAL NIKHANJ

Kapil Dev Ramlal Nikhanj

Early life

Born in a Punjabi family to Ram Lal Nikhanj and Raj Kumari Lajwanti, Kapil Dev was the sixth of seven siblings. His parents had lived elsewhere from a Kahuta village next to Rawalpindi during separation, whereafter Ram Lal Nikhanj settled in Chandigarh and into a flourishing construction and wood business. Kapil Dev was a student at D.A.V. School and adhered Desh Prem Azad in 1971.

India's National Cricket Coach

Kapil was allotted coach of the Indian national cricket team in 1999, following Anshuman Gaekwad. In his tenure, India won just one test match (at home against New Zealand). Kapil walked out from his point as national coach. Stung by the gambling storm, he publicized his farewell stating that "I bid adieu to the game that gave me so much and then took a great deal of it away on the mere hearsay of a third party".

Come Back to Cricket

Kapil slowly revisited to cricket as a bowling counselor and was the bowling coach in the foundation camp prior to India's tour of Pakistan in March 2004. In October 2006, Kapil Dev was designated as the chairman of National Cricket Academy for a 2 year period.

In 2005, he operated in a brief role in the Cult Movie Iqbal written by Vipul K Rawal where he played himself. At first the director was not keen on approaching him, still the writer Vipul K Rawal put his foot down as the role was written particularly keeping him in mind.In June 2007, BCCI reacted by revoking the pension for all players who have tied ICL, including Kapil. On 21 August 2007, Kapil was detached from the chairmanship of the National Cricket Academy, a day after he tackled a formal press conference of the new Indian Cricket League.