Hyderabad: India’s 1983 cricket World Cup winning captain has come out in defence of the one who emulated his feat in 2011 but has been facing a lot of flak of late for his inability to finish games. Legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev feels there is no better choice than Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the moment.
“I am currently not in the opinion of dropping Dhoni from the team. I don’t see a better name than him at the moment that currently fits in the squad. I am the one who gives opinion and my views will create confusion in people’s mind. So leave these things to the selectors,” Kapil said while interacting with mediapersons here ahead of the Eagles Golf Championship at the Hyderabad Golf Club on Saturday.
“A moment comes when a player has to hang his boots, even Dhoni will have to, but currently he is doing a good job for the side,” Kapil added while defending Mahi’s place in the Indian team.
Kapil also backed the home side after being bowled out for 172 in the first innings by Sri Lanka in the ongoing Test at Eden.
“It is unfair to expect our boys to go out and score 500-600 runs everytime. The opposition has also come to play tough cricket. If Sri Lanka is doing well we should give credit to their fine performance on the field,” he said. “Our team will be good enough on the African tour and will hopefully fight it out,” said the veteran while supporting Kohli’s side for the South African series which is set to commence from January 5 in 2018.
The ‘Haryana Hurricane’ was also all praise for Hyderabad and its cricketers.
“Hyderabad has produced stylish cricketers in the past like M.L. Jaisimha, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Syed Abid Ali, Md Azharuddin and V.V.S. Laxman. I hope in the near future too, a lot of stylish golfers will emerge from this city,” he said.
He also stressed on the development of other games in India. “If other sports too can be promoted, this country will hopefully be in a better position,” said Kapil while signing off.
International amateur golfer Ashley Ramsey, Sharmila Nicollet and film stars like R. Madhavan, Chitrangada Singh along with Mandira Bedi were also present at the event.
Speaking about his passion for golf now, Kapil said: “Playing golf is itself a memory for me. I realised that I should have played an individual game (like golf) because in that I take a pride and all the criticism but when you play a team game, you are always dependent on somebody.”
