Where does Kapil Dev rank among Indian-ATG?

[rtmohanlal]

Kapil was better than his stats but cmon he is hardly ATG bowler. Even in his best period, he averages 28. The best period of most ATG bowlers hovers around 20. The gap is too big. Its not like he averages 25 that we can say a he would have had ATG stats with some good support.

In addition to it, he averages 26 in India, 23-24 in WI and 24 in Aus. All this without support bowlers and heavy work load and what not.

He messed up against others. Averaging 39 in England swing tracks, 42 in NZ tracks and 37 in SA. He didn't screw up his stats due to Indian tracks. It got screwed up due to these stats. So no real excuse to be honest.

A case can be made of him not reaching up to his potential.

And what's this thing about green ghetto?

Anyways, here's a simple test: Does any neutral consider Kapil ATG bowler?

Case closed.

Kapil was an ATG all rounder though. Good bowler who had lots of potential. Good lower order bat who had lots of potential but didn't use it. One of cricket's greatest natural talents. The more I read about him, the more I realize what he could have been.

Our greatest ever AR.

But that's about it. Nothing more. Nothing less.

beg to differ on certain points.the best period of most ATG bowlers might be 20. but in how many tests ? Kapil  having played 131 tests, it is difficult to assume that  we can't find  a purple patch of  certain no: of tests which equals to that  'best period' of those ATG bowlers in which Kapil would have averaged atleast 25.And if we add  'work density' &  'lack of bowling support' elements to it  , then it gets more creditable. 

And the individual averages  you mentioned in those 3 countries(ENG,NZL & SAF) were influenced by longevity,work density' &  'lack of bowling support too.  For instance, Kapil's avg:es in ENG & NZL prior to his last tours were 34.44 & 31.875 respectively.In his first 100 tests his  avg: was 28.87.By that time he had bowled 21000 deliveries too. But after that his figures suffered in last tours to NZL & ENG.the lone SAF tour too was after his 100th test. this period of last 31 tests can  be termed  as the terminal decline period of Kapil.  

 

 In his first 100 tests his avg: stood like this

WI - 23.11,AUS 23.42,NZL 31.875, ENG 34.44, SL 33.81 & IND 27.15.  Now if we  add   'work density' &  'lack of bowling support' elements to it   the figures in NZL,ENG ,SL too can be said

as very good.