Cricket history was rewritten on February 8, 1994, when Kapil Dev, India’s iconic all-rounder, dismissed Hasan Tillekaratne to claim his 432nd Test wicket, eclipsing Richard Hadlee’s record at Motera Stadium against Sri Lanka.
The tension was palpable as Kapil, on the cusp of immortality, bowled a perfect delivery. Tillekaratne edged it to Sanjay Manjrekar at short leg. The crowd went wild, releasing 432 balloons skyward. A broadcast interruption featured the anthem-like tune praising Kapil’s supremacy, with thunderous applause echoing for minutes.
The match was a rout. Sri Lanka’s first innings folded for 119, decimated by spinner Venkatapati Raju’s 5-wicket haul and Rajesh Chauhan’s 3. India responded with a commanding 358, powered by skipper Azharuddin’s 152-run masterclass and Kambli’s 57. Sri Lanka’s bowlers Muralitharan and de Silva fought back with three scalps apiece.
Forced to follow on, Sri Lanka managed only 222, highlighted by Mahanama’s 63. Raju claimed 6-87 in the second dig, with Chauhan adding three more. India’s innings victory showcased their dominance.
Kapil’s storied career included captaining India to World Cup glory in 1983. His stats: 434 Test wickets from 131 matches, 253 ODI wickets from 225 games, and 9,000+ runs. Honors like Arjuna, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan followed his excellence.