Legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev [Images], who led India to it's only World Cup title in 1983, turned 50 on Tuesday.
Kapil, who made his India debut against Pakistan in 1978, was given a surprise party by his friends on Monday night but the former captain has no plans for celebrations on Tuesday and will spend the day at his home in New Delhi [Images].
"Last night, my friends threw a surprise party for me and I enjoyed myself there. I will spend the day at home and the celebrations will happen on January 16, which is my daughter Amiya's birthday," Kapil said.
The all-rounder, who along with Bishan Singh Bedi [Images] and Sunil Gavaskar [Images], was inducted into the ICC's [Images] Hall of Fame last week, said his birthday wish is to see the Indian cricket team touch new highs this year.
"You know I always breath cricket. I hope 2009 will be better than last year and I wish Indian cricket and the Indian Cricket League will be more successful," said Kapil, who fell out with the BCCI after aligning with the ICL, a Twenty20 [Images] venture declared rebel by the Board.
"My best wishes are with Indian cricket in general. I wish each one of our cricketers success at the international and domestic level," he added.
Arguably the best all-rounder that India has ever produced, Kapil ended his Test career with a record 431 wickets and 5248 runs in 131 matches. His one-day record was no less admirable with 253 wickets and 3783 runs in 225 ODIs.
Kapil is currently engaged in a legal battle with the BCCI for stopping the pensions of former cricketers who have opted to work with the ICL, where he is the executive board chairman.
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