Dehradun, July 3 -- They say you shouldn't meet your heroes, but what happens when your hero is a boy you grew up with, competed against, and faced across the cricket pitch?"

Recently, I got the unforgettable chance to meet the cricketing legend Kapil Dev at an intimate dinner party organised by the amazing host, Parinita Ahluwalia, right here in Dehradun. To be completely honest, I had practically engineered my invitation through my great friend for one sole purpose: to see him in person after decades and relive those cherished childhood memories.

For a brief evening, amid the polite dinner chatter and music, the years rolled back. I wasn't just a guest at a table, and he wasn't just the legendary captain who lifted the 1983 World Cup ...