Dev was given the award in recognition of his contribution to sport and charity work

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Legendary India all-rounder Kapil Dev has been bestowed with a lifetime achievement award at a ceremony in the House of Lords.

The award was presented by the Indo-European Business Forum (IBEF) in recognition of Dev’s contributions to sport and charity work.

“I am very proud to be Indian,” Dev said during his acceptance speech. “Today India is ready to do business with anybody in the world.

“I used to hate England because they ruled my country but I am happy they gave us the game of cricket, which they can’t play very well, and the English language, which I can’t speak very well.”

Dev represented India in 131 Tests and scored 5,248 runs, which included eight centuries and 27 half-centuries at an average of 31.05. He also took 434 Test wickets, which included 23 five-wicket hauls, at an average of 29.64.

Dev also played 225 ODIs and amassed 3,783 runs, which included one century and 14 half-centuries, at an average of 23.79. In addition to that, he picked up 253 wickets, which included one five-wicket haul, at an average of 27.45.