62 Kapil Dev Quotes About Inspiration, Life and Cricket

Kapil Dev is a former Indian Cricketer and captain of the 1983 ICC World Cup winning team. He was an all-rounder. He was a medium-fast pacer and a right-handed batsman.

He made his international debut in 1978 in a Test match against Pakistan and retired in 1994 after becoming the bowler with the most Test wickets (434) at the time. He has been awarded the Padma Shri in 1982 and the Padma Bushan in 1991. 

A film was made recently on the 1983 World Cup winning team’s story called ‘83’. Kapil Dev was played by Ranveer Singh in the movie. The movie is available on Disney+Hotstar and Netflix.

Here are 62 Kapil Dev quotes about cricket, passion, life, and everything in between.

1. “Cricket has become more popular, not me... When the game grows, those who've played it also grow.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows his humility. Being the captain of the World Cup-winning team gives credit for his popularity to the growth of the sport itself.

2. “I think pride is more important sometimes than making money.”

This Kapil Dev quote speaks about how being honest, truthful, and fair trumps material possessions. It is better to accept defeat than to pursue the wrong methods to win.

3. “Spirituality lies in what you do and how you do it and not what result you get.”

This Kapil Dev quote talks about religion and spirituality. It says that what matters is what you are doing and how you are doing something. The outcome or the result doesn't matter.

4. “People often ask me whether I believe in God. I haven't seen God. But I think that one's beliefs are one's God - and, in those terms, yes, God is there.”

This Kapil Dev quote is his view on God. He says that a man’s beliefs are his God. God is not to be seen but God is to be in thought and beliefs.

5. “Test cricket is a different sort of cricket altogether. Some players who are good for one-day cricket may be a handicap in a Test match.”

This Kapil Dev quote talks about the ultimate form of Cricket - Test Cricket. He argues that a good player in the limited overs formats like ODIs and T20Is wouldn't guarantee that he/she would be a good Test player. 

As Test Cricket is the ultimate ‘test’ of a player’s abilities. It would take everything he has to offer to beat the opposition.

6. “I am not too intelligent.”

This is another Kapil Dev quote showing his humility. The legend could thrash the opposition with the bat as well as the ball in his hands. He could read the game better than most players and lead India to its first World Cup.

7. “When you take risks and things don't go your way, you can be heavily criticized by the media.”

This Kapil Dev quote talks about the negative side of being a celebrity cricketer. The media comes lashing at you for making a mistake. 

Although the stakes are very high and the odds of winning are always tough, the media won’t spare you.  

8. “If you have two good off spinners, what is the problem in playing both of them.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows that he is not happy with the team selection for a match. His opinion matters as he understands the game very well. His credentials speak for themselves.

9. “People never expected a boy from a small town to have a life like I did.”

This Kapil Dev quote speaks about the success he achieved. It enabled him to have the life he wanted to live. He broke the realms of the ordinary and achieved great feats.

10. “When you are growing up, everyone will help you. When you reach the top, everyone will start pulling you down. The same people who help you will be the same people who try to pull you down.”

This Kapil Dev quote speaks about human nature. People would help you as long as they are in superior positions. But when you achieve greater success than them, then the same people will do everything to bring you down. It is maybe due to jealousy and feeling inferior. 

11. “My best wishes are with Indian cricket in general. I wish each one of our cricketers success at the international and domestic level.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows that he has the best of his interest in his heart when it comes to Indian Cricket and the players. He wants every player to achieve success and make the country proud. 

12. “Speed can't always get you wickets.”

This Kapil Dev quote talks about a part of the game. He is saying that it is not always the pacers that get you the wickets. Many times, it’s the spinners that get the wickets and the win for the team.

The spinners are often underestimated due to the fierceness associated with fast bowlers and the fear they can generate in a batsman. But sometimes spinners can do what the pacers can't. 

13. “As a sportsman, my aim was to help sportspersons grow. The idea is to see what is good for sport rather than what's good for individuals.”

This Kapil Dev quote talks about how the sport is bigger than the individual. The goal of a sportsperson is to help fellow sportspeople grow and make the game better than before.

14. “Selectors can't please everyone, but I am OK if they are working for the benefit of Indian cricket. It's an administrative decision to appoint a selection committee, and I would like to let them do their job.”

This Kapil Dev quote tells us the importance of respecting the decisions of the team selectors even when we may not agree with them.

As long as Indian Cricket progresses and wins tournaments and series, the administration has every right to take the decisions.

15. “I wasn't a ladies' man.”

This Kapil Dev quote talks about his life outside cricket. He says that he wasn't good with ladies. Maybe he was shy and couldn’t talk and flirt with women well.

16. “It isn't easy being a celebrity cricketer in India.”

This Kapil Dev quote talks about the price every celebrity pays for becoming popular while excelling in their fields.

17. “Certain cricketers are meant to play Test cricket.”

This Kapil Dev quote talks about how only a few players are meant to play Test cricket. Test cricket is all about being disciplined, consistent, and, patient.

18. “The biggest test for any cricketer in England is the weather.”

This Kapil Dev quote talks about tough playing conditions in England which are considered to have the best cricket pitches in the world.

19. “All artists are crazy.”

This Kapil Dev quote talks about how the world perceives artists. They follow their heart and do what the world thinks is absurd or crazy. 

20. “I have played cricket on my own terms.”

This Kapil Dev quote is a testament to him belonging to the greatest of the greatest players.

Every great player has played the game in his/her way. A Rishabh Pant has his style of playing which helps him win matches for the team even though everyone laughs at him when he plays. 

21. “Sports is my passion.”

This Kapil Dev quote sums up his dedication to cricket and to sports overall.

He breathes cricket. It makes the entire thing seem like play to him. And something that keeps him happy and alive!

22. “I never said, 'I wouldn't help a cricketer if he approaches me.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows his helpful attitude towards budding cricketers. He has transitioned from a player to a wise advisor to the players of today.

23. “If I can teach cricket overseas, why wouldn't I do so in my own country?”

This Kapil Dev quote shows his patriotism for the country. He would share his learnings and wisdom by coaching the players of his own country instead of going overseas to do so.

24. “There is inspiration all around us.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows the legend’s optimism. He would make something out of anything that he can hold on to.

In 1983, India was not the favorite to win the trophy. But the Man had a vision and lead the team to win the Cup.

25. “I used to hate any batsman who would not get out in my deliveries.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows the legend’s grit on the pitch. He would keep going at the batsmen again and again till he gets the better of him.

26. “I have no political aspirations. That's it.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows his political views. He doesn't want to be in politics and he is very firm about it.

27. “Let me clarify it through the national news agency that I am not joining Aam Aadmi Party. There has been reports that I will be officially joining AAP, but I can assure you that nothing of that sort is happening.”

This is another Kapil Dev quote showing that he doesn't have any interest in becoming a politician. He won’t join any political party.

28. “I, as a cricketer, would like to see 100 counties playing top-flight cricket, just like tennis and football. If I am alive to see that, I will be very happy.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows the vision of the legend. He wants to see all the countries play cricket. It would make the game hyper-competitive and more exciting to watch.

29. “Try and understand: cricket was played by Commonwealth countries only; now it has started in other countries as well, and I am proud of that.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows his support for more countries playing cricket. He hopes the game become a popular sport in all the countries. 

30. “I never wanted to take autographs, always wanted to give them. To do this, you have to achieve something.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows the legend’s different mindset. Most of us want to meet our heroes and take their autographs but only a few want to work so hard to be in a position to give autographs!

31. “One can't feel old in a day or overnight!”

This Kapil Dev quote says that a person doesn't become wise or experienced in one day. It takes years of hard work to reach that place.

32. “Every person gets negative things, they learn from those negative things, and you become a positive person.”

This Kapil Dev quote is all about optimism and seeing things from a better and different perspective. Whatever the world throws at you, whatever your circumstances, you can stand up and make something good out of it!

33. “My role models have kept on changing.”

This Kapil Dev quote is about raising your targets as you keep achieving the earlier ones. You have to look up to different people at different points in your life for inspiration.

34. “Though teenagers are generally very interested in sports, they must realise that education is the most important thing in their lives. They must find the right balance.”

This Kapil Dev quote is about the importance of education in a person’s life. Playing sports shouldn't be prioritized over getting an education.

“35. If your work becomes a source of enjoyment and a challenge, it will never seem like work - it will be fun. If you ever feel that your work is a burden, there is no point carrying on with it.”

This Kapil Dev quote is about how turning your passion into work makes it feel like play. If something excites you enough to make it seem like having fun to you in doing your job, it is priceless!

36. “When I was a boy, cricket was very, very English. Anyone who spoke English and anyone from a big town could play. And that was it.”

This Kapil Dev quote talks about his struggle to play Cricket when he was a kid. Only the people from big cities who could speak English used to play Cricket then.

37. “No cricket should be played for at least a month anywhere in the world after a World Cup.”

This Kapil Dev quote is speaking about the rest that the players should get after playing a major tournament. It should be followed as there may be a chance of injuries and burnout for the players.

38. “Sports should not become routine. It should be about passion.”

This Kapil Dev quote says that sports should not become something that you have to just do every day like taking a shower. It should be something that fulfills you and gives you purpose.

39. “Good sports facilities are a blessing.”

This Kapil Dev quote talks about how having proper sports facilities can make a player perform well up to international standards.

40. “I don't look into negative things. Go past mistakes and look forward.”

This Kapil Dev quote talks about not dwelling on the past. We should just understand where we went wrong and how not to make the same mistake again.

41. “It is always nice when you are honored. The Lifetime award makes me feel old. I am only 55.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows his humor and humility at the same time.

42. "When you have to work, work with a smile."

This Kapil Dev quote shows the power of a positive approach to work. When we work feeling happy, we are more productive and produce better work.

43. “The hunger to win must not die... The appetite has to remain big.”

This Kapil Dev quote talks about always chasing victories in the game. One should never feel that he/she has achieved enough. They should always strive for more.

44. “All you have to do is to dream big and try to fulfil it.”

This Kapil Dev quote talks about having a dream and creating a vision to fulfill it.

45. “Fast bowling is an art, like spin bowling.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows that fast bowling is as much art as spin bowling. Fast bowling is not just about pace it’s also about the swing and seam too.

46. “In the long run, I believe that honesty is definitely the best policy. One can get away by being dishonest for a short term, but ultimately, honesty is what pays.”

This Kapil Dev quote tells us about a simple truth. Honesty may have a difficult path for us to follow but it is always the best path for us in the long run. Dishonesty may provide us with immediate results but it won’t last for long.

47. “Cricket is very simple... you play till you can sustain.”

This Kapil Dev quote tells us about the simplicity of Cricket. It is an easy sport to play but hard to master. And one should play as long as one can perform well.

48. “The next generation has always been and will be better than the previous one. If it is not, then the world would not be moving forward.”

This Kapil Dev quote says that both the game and the players get better, one generation after the other. It shows innovation and progress without which the world would come to a standstill.

49. “As I enter a new phase of life and my circle broadens, I start learning new things.”

This Kapil Dev quote talks about transitioning from one role to another in life. One meets new people and learns things that were not required earlier. You grow as a person.

50. “I always breathe cricket.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows his passion for the game. Cricket is as important as breathing to him.

51. “Irrespective of any political party, I am a supporter of good people who want to do something for the society.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows that it is not the organization that does good for society, it is the people that do the work. We should support people and not the organizations they work for.

52. “Apart from education, you need good health, and for that, you need to play sports.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows the importance of sports for our health. We need to play a sport to keep our health. It also keeps our minds sharp.

53. “If you play good cricket, a lot of bad things get hidden.”

This Kapil Dev quote talks about how doing your job right can take care of other things that not going your way.

54. “If you are playing on a turning wicket, toss plays an important role. The team that wins the toss gets an opportunity to play on the fresh wicket. You should always prepare the wicket as per team's strength. But a rank turner might backfire.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows his expertise in the game. He knows exactly what to do in the conditions one is playing.

55. “Virat Kohli has so far shown that he has more ability and talent than anybody else, and if he can play till 32 or 34 with same fitness and without injuries, he will come to a point where not even Vivian Richards neither Sachin Tendulkar had such a record.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows his appreciation for Virat Kohli. Kohli is known for his exceptional batting and fielding skills. He is the former captain of the Indian Cricket Team.

Kapil Dev sees the potential in him as he has shown what he is capable of in recent years.

56. “I feel that World Cup cricket should be played like football in which all the 160 countries take part. If only a handful of countries are going to keep on playing in the World Cup without making the game popular, I will be a sad man.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows his enthusiasm to make Cricket a global sport. He would love to see all the 160 countries participate in the Cricket World Cup.

57. “Maybe a day will come when we may have to just put on a pair of glasses and see sports events.”

This Kapil Dev quote talks about emerging technologies that could change the way we watch Cricket. Watching a match on a VR lens may provide a better experience for the fans.

58. “The West Indians and Pakistanis play one-day cricket so well because they play for English counties.”

This Kapil Dev quote praises the performances of the West Indies and Pakistan in ODI Cricket because their players play County Cricket.

59. “I was a naughty kid. Teachers did not like me much.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows the mischievous trouble-making kid he was. Maybe that’s where he gets the ability to dream bigger and take risks and achieve more than he thought of comes from.

60. “Sourav is a great captain and we should be proud of such a leader.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows his appreciation of the former captain and now the President of the BCCI Sourav Ganguly. Sourav was a great batsman and a great captain.

61. “Dhoni Is My Hero. We talk a lot about Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, But this boy has as much talent as anyone in the game.”

This Kapil Dev quote shows his appreciation of the former captain and wicket-keeper batsman, M.S. Dhoni. Dhoni is the most successful captain in Indian Cricket. He has led the nation to every single trophy. He was the captain of the 2011 World Cup-winning team. 

62. “Dhoni backed Jadeja to play aggressively and backed Ishant to bowl short. I have not seen a better Indian captain than him.”

This is another Kapil Dev quote praising M.S. Dhoni. Dhoni’s reading of the match’s situation is second to none!

Kapil Dev is a living legend. His team’s 1983 World Cup win is the reason for the popularity of Cricket in India. It is the reason for the upliftment of sports in the country. People saw what they can achieve for the country by playing sports professionally. These Kapil Dev quotes show why he is still a hero and how Cricket is still his life.