Kapil Dev, the first captain from India to win World Cup, re-emphasized on Thursday that company performance is more important than individual talent for Rohit Sharma to win T20 world cup in the West Indies.
India will face defending champions England in the World Cup semi-finals on Thursday. And will hope to advance to the final against South Africa who defeated Afghanistan in an earlier match.
“Why only Rohit Sharma? What of Virat Kohli or Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya or Kuldeep Yadav? Everybody has a role. Their work is winning,” Kapil told PTI Videos in an exclusive interview.
“To win one game you may have a freak but for winning a game all must come together. So if we relied on Bumrah or Ashdeep then you would lose it,” he added.
“Let’s talk about team. It gives a better view point than just one person in oddity. Yes the main player is there and we can revolve around him. However, everybody must contribute towards winning the world cup,” he further explained.
He stressed on team effort citing his experience when India won the world cup 1983; acknowledging that he was not alone who played brilliantly during matches.
“Even Roger Binny, Mohinder Amarnath, Kirti Azad, Yashpal Sharma had match-winning performances. If you start depending upon one player it means you won’t win games too often,” he stated.
Ahead of their semifinal clash against England, he wished India good luck. And expressed hope that Men In Blue would lift the trophy.
“I’d really like to wish them all what best they’ve done well they have enjoyed themselves hats off to them I mean good luck I mean I wish them good luck with it and happiness,” added Dev. Being elected president of PGA Tour of India recently at 65 years old Kapil Dev said Wednesday. That he was proud to see India being consistently regard as a title contender in global events.
“We should be happy since we believe we can win. You did not think that 20 years ago. And the big thing is India are favourites in every game. ,” he said.
“We never thought about this this is enough for young people to take up cricket I am very happy with what Indian cricket is doing,” he concluded.
He however, praised Bumrah, who has taken 11 wickets in the tournament so far, as a star player of the Indian team.
“Bumrah is a thousand times better than me these young boys are much better than us. We have more experience, they are better, they are very good excellent, they are fitter, they are more diligent, they are fantastic,” he comment.
But Kapil Dev didn’t make out captain role to be of great significance on his part.
“Everyone can be captain. Hardik, Virat, Rohit all can also become captains. When you give the ball to someone, then the bowler must do job. Yes, the captain will be there to help you but if you don’t win then he won’t do it.”
