Kapil Dev interview: On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and India’s obsession with cricket

Kapil Dev throws a quick glance at the bat and ball placed at the entrance of the Madras Management Association’s auditorium. They are a photo prop — for the members attending the launch of popular banker Shyam Srinivasan’s latest book, Better Never Stops, a part-memoir, part-practical leadership primer published by WYZR Books (Rs 495).

If not for the teeming autograph hunters and selfie seekers, Kapil might have been tempted to bowl a couple of yorkers or smash a few sixes.

The 67-year-old lanky cricketing legend has seen the highest of highs in the sport; the 1983 World Cup win being the peak. He is currently associated with another sport — golf — which he plays passionately.

Deep down, Kapil remains the boy who once loved hitting the grounds of Chandigarh with a bat and ball in hand.

“People like us… we know only thing: how to play. If we had it our way, we would be playing some kind of sport from childhood till death,” he says, “When we are born, our parents give us a bat and ball to play something, but once we turn six or seven, they take it back and replace it with a pencil to concentrate on education.”

A huge cheerleader for sporting activities, Kapil is peeved about India’s obsession with cricket. “I’m saying this despite being a cricketer myself and fully knowing the love and affection it fetched me,” he smiles, “As a nation, we give 99% to cricket. It’s unfair. Other sports should also get recognition…only then will the nation grow.”

Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev with author Shyam Srinivasan at the book launch of ‘Better Never Stops’ in the Madras Management Association auditorium, Chennai
| Photo Credit:
VELANKANNI RAJ B

The show goes on

Kapil is a content sportsman today, even as he speaks words of motivation at corporate events and sporting functions. When he is not travelling or playing golf, he enjoys watching movies.

“I grew up watching Amitabh Bachchan saab’s films and styling myself on his looks in the films,” recalls Kapil. Today, thanks to technology and the advent of OTT platforms, Kapil likes catching up on the dubbed versions of South Indian superhits too. “Baahubali was great, and I love watching Allu Arjun’s films too,” says Kapil, mimicking the trademark Pushpa beard-stroke swagger, “They make some people larger than life, but that’s how cinema works in this part of the world.”

Cricket, however, is never entirely out of his system — despite his own admission that he watches only “5% of the matches today”. Like most followers of IPL 2026, Kapil too is full of praise for young sensation, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. “At the moment, he is a special talent, without doubt. But we have to give him time. He is very young and does not know anything other than cricket. Once he gets to know more about life, things might be different.”

A file photo of India captain Kapil Dev lifting the 1983 World Cup trophy on June 23, 1983 in London, England.
| Photo Credit:
Adrian Murrel/Getty Images

Blast from the past

Kapil can be credited for the obsession India has with cricket today. Leading India, the historic World Cup win in 1983 is considered the greatest triumph of the underdog that cricket has ever seen, heralding a young generation of Indian cricket players and enthusiasts. Apart from instilling self belief in the team, Kapil’s crucial batting knock when they were on the verge of elimination (175 against Zimbabwe) and iconic catch (to dismiss Viv Richards in the final) remains the highlight of his glittering career.

So, what was he telling himself when the chips were down? “It’s a story other people will tell better than me,” he says, “When you are in it, you don’t remember it as vividly as people watching it. It was my day, and I’m happy that I won the tournament for India.”

Is there a life lesson he has for people? “Never ever give up. The moment you give up, you are dead.”