The Haryana Hurricane
Born in a timber merchant's family on January 6, 1959, little in his early life would have prepared him for the path he chose.
He did not have a cricketing lineage, but was blessed with a fierce determination, which became the hallmark of his distinguished career.
"I wanted to bowl fast because every one talked of India not having a quick bowler. As time went on, I learnt and improved. With every season my ambitions grew and I thank God for helping me achieve my dreams," Kapil had said at the fag end of his career.
From the unpromising beginnings of claiming seven Pakistani wickets in his first three Tests in 1978, Kapil was soon into his stride, taking 22 wickets against the 1979 Australians, and then 32 against Pakistan -- all on supposedly unhelpful home pitches.
Aged 21 years and 27 days, he became the youngest player to complete the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets, a feat he repeated at 2,000 and 200.
