Do you agree with Wisden's choice?

This debate is now closed

Dev took 434 wickets and scored 5,248 runs in a sparkling Test career and also led India to the World Cup in 1983.

In a nation obsessed with spin, he was India's first fast-bowling hero and along with Ian Botham, Imran Khan and Richard Hadlee, made up a generation of great all-rounders.

Is Kapil your Indian number one?

Kapil's knock against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup was a reflection on his career: always fighting, always positive. This coupled with his immense talent and ability to work hard clearly make him the correct choice as he was the player who had the most positive effect on Indian cricket in the last century.
Sameer K. Misra, USA

There are no words to describe how much we Indians love him. Kapil, many, many congratulations to you.
Siva, USA/India

How can Kapil Dev be considered the greatest Indian cricketer. He was a pretty good bowler but not in the class of Hadlee, Imran and Lillee. On his day as batsman he was devastating. Otherwise he never scored. Scores against Zimbabwe don't count. Sunil is the greatest because he single-handedly won matches for India throughout his career.
Sher Ali Khan, USA

If it weren't for Kapil, cricket wouldn't have been half as popular in India as it is today.
SV, India

Great though Gavaskar was and Sachin is, I think it's a fitting tribute to Kapil for his tireless deeds! Neither of them have put in nearly as much sweat on the playing pitch as Kapil.
Hemant Nayak, Naperville, IL, USA

Kapil Dev was without doubt India's greatest ever all-rounder and probably one of the best the world has ever seen. All India's success came when he was in his prime and he fully deserves this award.
Niall Clegg, Ballyhalbert Harbour Wall, N. Ireland

I salute Kapil on this wonderful occasion and thank the judges who for once have recognised this true Son of India, and undoubtedly the best sportsman India has ever had.

Gavaskar is no where close to Kapil in terms of sportsmanship, and although Sachin is good in that aspect he doesn't have the same killer Instinct that Kapil Had. So there is no doubt in my mind that Kapil is the best choice.
Sukirat, India

There are certainly some fine players amongst the Indian ranks at the moment, but India lack a truly great all-rounder. Kapil Dev is undoubtedly the greatest ever Indian player, as he has proved his worth with both bat and ball.
Shazza Edney, Rochester, Kent

I have to disagree. Although Kapil Dev has legendry status among cricket's finest, Tendulkar is in a league of his own. He is perhaps the most talented player in Indian Cricket at the moment, and after a few years I think he will cement his place as India's finest!
Debbie Shaw, Riddlesdown, England

Although Kapil Dev took over 400 wickets and scored 5000 plus Test runs, when you compare him to the other great all-rounders of that era he would come in well behind Khan and Botham. The same cannot be said about Sachin Tendulkar, who has been at the top of his game since entering the international arena. Sachin has no living equals. He is a sheer genius, who in many respects has redefined the way cricket is played.
Fabian Saverimuttu, UK

The fact that India looked for an all-rounder for three quarters of a century before Kapil came to the scene and are now looking for one for a decade after his retirement is testimony to his being the cricketer of the century.
Rahul Shah, India

No debate on this one. For close to a decade, Kapil Dev was India's best bowler, and could also swing a match with his cavalier batting. Anyone who witnessed his destruction of Zimbabwe's attack at the World Cup in 1983 will testify to this. As wonderful a batsman as Gavaskar was, Dev was the better cricketer.
Yannis Tjanetis, Canada

Kapil deserves it more than anybody else. He was one of the world's best all-rounders, and has won many matches for India - including 1983 world cup. Nobody can forget his innings of 174 not out against Zimbabwe.
Ramesh, Canada

Like Imran Khan of Pakistan, Kapil Dev was one of the greatest all-rounders of all time. He was true match-winner, and a highly patriotic and passionate cricketer.

He also led his country to its finest cricketing moment, and thoroughly deserves his award. Many congratulations!
Farrukh, Pakistan

No Indian player to date has shown true courage and determination to give everything for his country. He is the only Indian player that could win matches with both ball and bat, and in my eyes Kapil occupies every position from number one to number ten in all time greats list! I salute this true son of India.
Shashikant Raina, USA

I totally agree with Wisden's choice. Kapil Dev was the inspiration for me and my brother to start playing cricket in our backyard, and he made it possible to believe that India could not just beat the big guns of cricket. Kapil Dev, I salute you!
Balbir Assra, England

Yes I definitely agree that Kapil is the King. He was a perfect captain, who took the responsibility and gave his 100% when situation demanded it. He was a selfless player, who always put the team first.
Raghavendra, India

I completely agree with Kapil being chosen for this award. His ability, passion and focussed attention to the game are an example to us all. However, I must ask how Kumble didn't get the best bowling performance for his 10 wicket haul against Pakistan.
Anirban Bhattacharyya, UK

The winner should have been Sunil Gavaskar instead of Kapil Dev. Kapil was a good all-rounder, but excelled in neither batting nor bowling. His presence on the ground never gave a hope of victory to the Indian viewers.

By contrast, Gavaskar was a technically perfect opening batsman, who could face world-class bowlers. If he played for a few hours, India always had a good score.
Shrinivas, India

I totally agree with the choice of Kapil as Indian Cricketer of the Century. He took India to new heights and gave them incredible self-belief. He was a selfless cricketer, who showed greatness with the bat and ball on several occasions. Sachin and Gavaskar are great players, but I would rate Kapil one step higher.
Gopal, India

I think Kapil is the best choice, as he is the best India has ever had. Sachin hasn't come up with a match-winning performance in any crucial or final game so far in his career, and Gavaskar was only ever concerned with improving his own record.
Jay, India

I have been a fan of Kapil Dev all along, and he truly deserves the player of the century award. India had many good batsmen during the late 1970s, but were begging for a genuine fast bowler, and Kapil was the answer. He was a match winner, and that made him unique - rather like Ian Botham was for England.
Amruth Kumar, India

Kapil deserves it more than anyone else, as he has done more for Indian cricket than any other individual. Gavaskar is not in the same class, as he put politics before the team.

And Sachin maybe the best batsman in the world, but he chokes at crucial moments. His performances have not won any of the last 10 tournament finals India have played in!
Sandeep, USA

Kapil Dev has been a great servant to world cricket, and especially India. He deserves all the awards bestowed on him. Congratulations to Kapil.
Balbinder Singh, England

Yes he is. He almost single-handedly led the attack for years at a time when nobody in India knew what pace balling is all about. His wickets include the best of the batsmen and most of them were taken on the dead tracks of the subcontinent.

His batting was not a beauty to watch but he could certainly time it and hit it mighty hard. He was a born fighter and the best thing about him was his never-say-die attitude.
Sachin, India

Kapil should be the unanimous choice. He was the only one in India who was truly an all-rounder - a great bowler, batsman and fielder too.
Arvind Sherigar, India

I think it is an appropriate choice. Kapil Dev worked harder than any other Indian captain in history, and substantially changed the face of Indian cricket by winning a World Cup, and building an Indian team that will be remembered as a dynasty.

Sachin is brilliant and may be the best batsman in the world, but he was not as successful as Kapil in revolutionising Indian cricket - he only revolutionised the batting.

Kapil was a true ambassador of the game. His personality, vigour and cricket brain were all traits to admire. I would vote for him any day over Tendu and sunny.
Caesar, India

This is the most fitting tribute to the most fascinating personality in Indian Cricket. It's a testimony to prove that true and genuine characters can neither fade nor their images be tarnished. In a nation starved of a sporting icon, Kapil came across like an oasis in a desert.
Prashanth Anreddy, Indian in USA

Yes, of course! He is the best Indian bowler ever (despite having negligible support most of the time), and he scored over 5000 runs. He was an excellent fielder, taking a superb catch to dismiss Richards in 1983 World Cup Finals, and he led India to their only World Cup win.
Rajiv, USA

He is undoubtedly the correct choice. Kapil gave India their finest moment in cricket, and played like a lion when the chips were down. He was a team man for whom individual success meant less than it did for Sunil. Sachin may yet beat Kapil, but so far his potential has not quite translated to performance in crunch matches.
Sriram, India/USA

Kapil is a great choice because he has won the World Cup for India, which is more important than any other achievement. He has a good record as a Test cricketer too.
Sivakumar Paramasivam, USA

Surely it would have to be Kapil, not only for his achievements but also for his charisma on and off the field. I would have rated Gundappa Vishwanath a close second for his performances when India required it most.
Aveekshith Bushan, India

Definitely he is. Not only was he a great all-rounder, but a true match winner, which puts him ahead of the likes of Sachin or Sunil. The fighting spirit and positive approach that he showed on the field was a treat to watch. He was truly a hard working cricketer who deserves every award.
Prasid, Nepal