How many Test wickets had Kapil Dev taken at the time of his retirement?

Introduction / Context:
Kapil Dev is one of India greatest all rounders and a legendary fast bowler. His Test wicket tally at retirement is a very common sports general knowledge question because he once held the world record for most Test wickets. Remembering the exact number helps candidates connect cricket records with specific players and periods.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The format is Test cricket.
• The question asks for his total wickets at the time of retirement.
• Options include the numbers 450, 430, 435, 434, and 420.
• We assume officially recognised Test matches only.

Concept / Approach:
Kapil Dev finished his Test career with 434 wickets, which at that time surpassed the previous world record held by Sir Richard Hadlee. He was later overtaken by other bowlers, but his 434 figure remains a landmark in Indian cricket history. Recognising this number and linking it with Kapil Dev is essential for sports based GK.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Kapil Dev broke the world record for Test wickets during his career.Step 2: Link the record figure 434 with his name, as this number is often quoted in cricket discussions.Step 3: Compare the options and identify the one that matches this well known statistic.Step 4: Recognise that 434 is the precise tally at the time of retirement, not 430, 435, 450, or 420.Step 5: Choose 434 as the answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Official Test records and cricket almanacs list Kapil Dev with a career total of 434 Test wickets.Historical articles discussing his record breaking moment also mention this exact figure, confirming the answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The numbers 430, 420, and 450 are close but do not reflect the exact official tally. The value 435 might seem plausible but is one wicket more than his actual total, and such near values are common distractors in multiple choice questions. Therefore, only 434 matches the true Test wicket count at Kapil Dev retirement.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes remember that Kapil Dev was around the 430 mark and then guess a rounded figure like 430 or 435. Another pitfall is mixing his tally with that of other bowlers like Courtney Walsh or later record holders. To avoid such errors, learners should memorise the specific number 434 associated directly with Kapil Dev Test wickets.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is 434, which is the number of Test wickets Kapil Dev had taken at the time of his retirement.