"May you continue to inspire millions" - Cricket fraternity extends birthday wishes as Kapil Dev turns 64

The cricket community extended warm wishes to legendary Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev as he turned 64 on January 6. The Haryana cricketer retired from cricket in 1994 after a stellar career, ending with 434 Test wickets, the highest in the world at the time.

Dev is also the youngest captain to win the ODI World Cup, winning it at the age of 24 in 1983. The win gave joy to millions of Indian fans and was also a source of inspiration for many budding cricketers to take up the sport.

Iconic batter Sachin Tendulkar has revealed on many occasions that the 1983 World Cup win by Kapil Dev's Indian team was a major driving force behind him getting into cricket.

On the occasion of Kapil's birthday, Sachin led the way by posting a heartfelt note on Twitter and the cricket community soon joined him.

Here are some of the wishes:

A ten-year-old boy saw Kapil Dev lifting the 1983 World Cup and started dreaming of winning another one for India. That boy was me. Happy birthday, Kapil Paaji! May you continue to inspire millions. https://t.co/OSIKPqptNX

3️⃣5️⃣6️⃣ intl. matches
9️⃣0️⃣3️⃣1️⃣ intl. runs
6️⃣8️⃣7️⃣ intl. wickets
India's 1983 World Cup-winning captain 🏆

Birthday wishes to Mr Kapil Dev - one of the finest all-rounders to have ever graced the game. 🎂 👏

#TeamIndia | @therealkapildev https://t.co/zrDcaR1wWV

Here's wishing the 1983 World Cup-winning captain, an icon of India cricket, Kapil Dev, a very Happy Birthday! 🎂

#PlayBold #TeamIndia @therealkapildev https://t.co/cWO6AeAGpS

Scorer of 🇮🇳's first ODI century ✅
Most Test wickets ever at the time of his retirement ✅
Captain of 🇮🇳's first World Cup winning team ✅
One of the greatest all-rounders the world has seen ✅

📸: IG/Kapil Dev

Happy Birthday to Kapil Dev. 🫶🎂

#SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings https://t.co/nEgo53n6tL

Wish you a very happy birthday #KapilDev, may you have a special day and year. First captain on my maiden India tour to West Indies in 1982-83. We played together for a long time and shared some memorable moments. One of the greatest all-rounders ever! @therealkapildev #cricket https://t.co/uUCPvJsZBg

Here’s wishing the greatest cricketer of India @therealkapildev paaji a very happy birthday. No one has had as much an impact on the game in India, as you have, paaji. Have a great year #Legend #KapilDev https://t.co/HDcavBoE5r

Many many happy returns
of the day #Skipper
Have a very happywala birthday.
Many many more to you//
#KapilDev https://t.co/aJfD6cdY5M

“What else we here for?”

We here to wish the evergreen @therealkapildev a happy, happy birthday! Tons of happiness and good health, Kaps paaji ✨

#HappyBirthday #KapilDev https://t.co/07mJpOdudD

Wish you a very happy birthday @therealkapildev! 🤗 Have a great year ahead. https://t.co/tICROQwgAu

Happy Birthday Wishes to one of the all time greats of the game of cricket @therealkapildev . Your agility on the field, team spirit & as a leader who always led from the front shall always be remembered. You are a true game changer who never believed in the word 'impossible'.

A very happy birthday to you @therealkapildev paaji!! 🙏🏾 Wish you lots of happiness and good health on your special day! Lots of love. https://t.co/qWKbSydjPx

A very Happy Birthday to the legendary, @therealkapildev Paaji, wishing you a day filled with happiness and a life filled with joy and success. Lots of love and good health to you always! ❤️🤗

To my hero and an inspiration. Happy Birthday dearest @therealkapildev paaji. Wishing you a happy and healthy year ahead #HappyBirthdayKapilDev https://t.co/5tS0jBe9Lz

From All India Radio to Twitter gen! An icon who has stood as a beacon of inspiration across generations! Super Birthday to you, Kapil Paaji!

#WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 https://t.co/8yQuhIbKMl

To the man who believed in dreams 🤩

To the man who helped a nation dream 💙

Happy 64th, Kapil Dev ✨

#KapilDev #TeamIndia #OrangeArmy https://t.co/FmxVbVlyfw

"If you think Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and 2-3 players will win us the World Cup then that's never going to happen" - Kapil Dev on India's 2023 World Cup chances

Kapil Dev recently highlighted the importance of building a balanced team and advised the team management not to shy away from making tough decisions ahead of the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup. He also cautioned them not to overly depend on senior statesmen like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma heavy lifting every time.

In a conversation on ABP News, the 1983 World Cup-winning captain said:

"If you want to win the World Cup, the coach, selectors, and team management will have to make some tough decisions. Personal interests will have to take a backseat and they will need to think about the team. If you think Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and two to three players will win us the World Cup then that's never going to happen."

He went on to state that it is imperative to define clear roles for players in the team and added:

"You should believe in your team. Do we have such a team? Definitely. Do we have certain match winners? Yes, of course! We have players who can win the World Cup. You need players who fulfill each of their responsibilities. The youngsters will need to come forward and say 'it is our time."

Do you agree with Kapil Dev's views? Sound off your opinions in the comments section.