A Landmark Day in Indian Cricket – February 8, 1994
On this day in 1994, Indian cricket witnessed a historic moment as legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev equaled New Zealand’s Richard Hadlee’s world record of 431 Test wickets. This remarkable feat was achieved during the second Test against Sri Lanka at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, where India secured a dominant innings and 95-run victory.

India’s Dominant Batting Display
Opting to bat first, India posted a formidable total of 541/6 before declaring their innings. Several batsmen played crucial roles in building this mammoth score:
- Navjot Singh Sidhu fell agonizingly short of a century, scoring 99 off 228 balls, including nine fours and two sixes.
- Vinod Kambli added a solid 82 runs, featuring seven boundaries and two sixes.
- Sachin Tendulkar contributed an impressive 96 off 140 deliveries, smashing 15 fours.
- Captain Mohammad Azharuddin led from the front with a commanding 108, decorated with 11 fours and a six.
- Kapil Dev, showcasing his all-round brilliance, played a quickfire unbeaten knock of 53 runs from 68 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes.
This match marked the fifth consecutive home Test where India had crossed the 500-run mark in an innings, underscoring their batting dominance.
Sri Lanka’s Struggles with the Bat
In response, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 231 in their first innings. Ruwan Kalpage top-scored with 63, but the Indian bowlers kept the visitors under pressure.
- Manoj Prabhakar was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4/82.
- Anil Kumble and Kapil Dev supported well, each taking three wickets.
Following on, Sri Lanka fared no better in their second innings, managing only 215 runs.
- Hashan Tillakaratne fought hard with a resilient 80 but lacked support from the other end.
- Anil Kumble again played a key role, taking three wickets.
- Kapil Dev, Rajesh Chauhan, and Venkatapathy Raju picked up two wickets each to ensure Sri Lanka’s downfall.
Kapil Dev’s Record-Equalling Milestone
The defining moment of the match came when Kapil Dev dismissed Don Anurasiri in the second innings, bringing his Test wicket tally to 431—equaling Richard Hadlee’s record for the most Test wickets at the time.
Just nine days later, in the next Test at Ahmedabad, Kapil Dev surpassed Hadlee’s tally by dismissing Hashan Tillakaratne, becoming the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. This achievement further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the game.
Conclusion
India’s emphatic victory over Sri Lanka, combined with Kapil Dev’s historic milestone, made this match an unforgettable chapter in Indian cricket. His record-breaking journey showcased not only his skill but also his longevity and consistency as a fast bowler. This moment remains one of the proudest achievements in Indian cricket history.