Legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev [ Images ], who led India [ Images ] 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.

• Special: Summer of '83

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.

• Perhaps that day was for me only: Kapil Dev

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.