NEW DELHI: Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev was in a “stable” condition after undergoing emergency cardiac surgery on Friday after complaining of chest pain, hospital authorities said.

The 61-year-old, who led India to their first World Cup title in 1983, was rushed to a Delhi hospital where surgeons conducted an emergency coronary angioplasty.

Neither the hospital nor Kapil’s family commented on media reports that he had suffered a heart attack.

A hospital statement said only that Kapil was in “stable” condition.

The news triggered a flurry of comments on social media from cricketers and fans, with current Indian captain Virat Kohli wishing the once-feared all-rounder a speedy recovery.

“Please join me in sending prayers, strength and good wishes,” said Madan Lal, a bowler in the 1983 “Kapil’s Devils” side that stunned the West Indies at the World Cup final at Lord’s.

Kapil took 687 Test and ODI wickets and scored nearly 9,000 runs during a 16-year long international career.

After retiring in 1994, he became a national team coach and selector. In 2002, Kapil was named “Indian Cricketer of the Century” by Wisden.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2020