World now talks of India’s pace attack, of its potency… It’s a first I will cherish: Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev with his pets.

KAPIL Dev Nikhanj, or ‘Kaps’, knows more than a thing or two about cricket. Inspirational captain, World Cup winner, legendary all-rounder, more than a proficient golfer, soft corner for strays… Clearly, a man of many parts.

Excerpts from an exhaustive interview… 

Q: Nine wins out of nine… Have India been brilliant or the opponents poor?

A: It’s a performance to admire and respect. Any team can have a bad day, but it takes some effort coming to the semi-final of a World Cup undefeated. Consistency has been the key and it’s 10 on 10 on that score.

Q: Watching India’s graph over the past five weeks it would seem the World Cup is an easy tournament…

A: When the going is good, everything looks good… No tournament is easy, least of all a World Cup.

Q: The India win you enjoyed the most?

A: Very first match, against Australia, when we were three down for two on the board (chasing 200). Gems from KL Rahul (97 not out) and Virat Kohli (85) got us full points. Mazza aa gaya. 

Q: An undefeated march into the semi-final stage… Some concern that the dreaded law of averages could trip India?

A: By that argument, India couldn’t have kept beating Pakistan in World Cups, but we have… Worry is that you don’t get the chance to bounce back, like you can in the league phase. Semi-finals and the final are a one-off, so you can’t afford to have your first bad day there. If I was still playing, I wouldn’t bother about this law or that, I’d be positive in my thinking.

Q: New Zealand are happy being somewhat under the radar, but it’s a team high on quality. What do we need to fear the most at the Wankhede?

A: After nine wins on the trot, India don’t have to fear any opposition… While New Zealand may not be a high-profile team, the players have such commitment. They’re big on that… That, for me, is New Zealand’s USP. 

Q: I recall you were doing radio commentary with another legend, Clive Lloyd, when India faced New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup semi-final… Kane Williamson’s captaincy played a significant role in New Zealand, not India, travelling to Lord’s for the final. How big a factor will the ‘tussle’ between Rohit Sharma and Williamson be?

A: Why look back at Old Trafford? In any case, four years ago, Rohit wasn’t the captain… By now, he has gained in experience and I don’t consider him inferior to Williamson. As captains, both are on a par.

Q: Well, then… Some words on Rohit, the captain…

A: Rohit doesn’t jump around, but stays composed. He definitely isn’t a Sourav Ganguly or a Virat. That said, different captains have different ways of expressing emotions, nothing wrong with that… The Ravi Shastri-Virat partnership had aggression written all over, Rahul Dravid and Rohit do it differently. Captaining Mumbai Indians has taught Rohit to absorb pressure and that’s helping him. Indeed, he has embraced the pressure which goes with captaining India… Laudable is that Rohit has taken it upon himself to give us solid starts and runs from him have taken the pressure off Virat and the rest. Of course, the Australia match was an exception, but Rohit is no robot.  

Q: What makes the No.1 difference in the semi-finals and final?

A: We must first appreciate players are only human… Absolute focus, shutting out external noises, not treating pressure as a burden… Basically, enjoying the opportunity of playing either in the semi-final or final of cricket’s biggest tournament.

Q: Toughest part in any World Cup is…

A: Last 100 metres! It’s a sprint which impacts lives, careers, has the potential to carry an entire nation to another planet.  

Q: Advice to Rohit and his team…

A: Stick to the same thought process, don’t do anything different. Not in the semi-final of a World Cup. My heart, as always, is with India. Reality is that to win any knockout match, you need a stroke of luck, not skill alone. I’m, of course, aware there can be a bad day in office. 

Q: Statistics show Virat has amassed 594 runs, while 503 stand against Rohit’s name; Jasprit Bumrah has 17 wickets, with Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja each taking 16 – Shami from only five matches… How much credit would you give to planning?

A: Look, you can credit planning. However, in cricket, things happen. Did Shami plan to take five wickets on his comeback (against New Zealand, in Dharamshala)? Did Virat plan to score almost 600 runs in this World Cup? No. How could they have? So, more credit to the thought process.

Q: Surprising that Shami wasn’t played in the first four matches…

A: Sometimes, the team feels Y not X will be better suited… We have to respect that, irrespective of what we feel.

Q: Going by seniority… Shami, Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj… Your take on each of them?

A: You tend to fall in love with Shami’s rhythm and his arm position… Bumrah, from such a short run-up, generates incredible pace. Hard to find fault in someone who uses his imagination. Bumrah is unique… Siraj still has plenty of work to do, but is blessed with tonnes of passion. His josh is just a wow.

Q: You’ve said Siraj still has much work to do… Where could all three improve?

A: Become better batsmen and fielders. All batsmen can’t become bowlers, but bowlers can become batsmen… By the way, I batted at No.11 on my Ranji Trophy debut (that didn’t stop him from scoring 9,031 runs for India)! 

Q: India’s journey in this World Cup… What has pleased you the most?

A: For the first time, the world now talks of India’s pace attack… Talk of its potency, accuracy. It’s a first I will cherish… We have always had great batsmen and exceptional spinners, but pace bowlers who intimidate? Only from the recent past.

Q: Much of the credit must go to you… You ignited a revolution, no less, catching everybody’s imagination from your debut season (1978-1979)…

A: The system should get credit, not me… Facilities, opportunities… A thumbs-up to the system, really. However, I have to put on record my disappointment that the biggest names don’t play domestic cricket. They must. We did, learning so much from the India players who’d happily turn out in the Ranji Trophy and in other tournaments.   

Q: As India’s coach for a somewhat short period, you coached Dravid. He’s been the head coach for two years. I assume he helps calm the dressing room, ensures there’s balance… Your thoughts?

A: Different roles, but Mahendra Singh Dhoni reminded me of Dravid. Few words publicly, shrewd within… Never giving much away. I’m sure Dravid helps in keeping equilibrium intact. 

Q: For failure in the World Cup, there could be consequences for a couple of coaches/those who head the support staff… To what extent can coaches/support staff heads be held accountable?

A: My point is if you’re going to hold them accountable, then give them credit too. And, if you get credit, be ready for flak as well.

Q: I have to ask you about Virat, not about the records he’s setting even at 35, but what keeps driving him. You’re an all-time great. How do you assess Virat, also a great?

A: Virat’s 24x7 commitment stands out. Salute his batting, also tip your hat to the commitment shown.  The next generation has much to learn from Virat.

Q: Shocked by England’s performance – or the lack of it?

A: Every team has ups and downs… England still have champion players, only didn’t play like a champion team. 

Q: Surely, England would have figured in your list of the four teams most favoured to make the semi-finals…

A: Of course… I had India, England, New Zealand with one from among Australia, Pakistan and South Africa making it to the semi-finals.

Q: From the outside, what do you think went wrong with Pakistan?

A: Problem with Pakistan has always been managing the players. You need a fatherly figure, like an Imran Khan, to nurse them… Their egos… Getting the players to keep the larger picture in mind… The system in Pakistan needs to be addressed, not the outstanding talent which keeps attracting our attention. There are far too many experiments. I wouldn’t gun for Babar Azam, as you shouldn’t judge on one or a few matches alone.

Q: Team of this World Cup – Afghanistan?

A: Without a doubt. The Afghanistan boys now have character, plenty of self-belief. Credit both to them and the support staff (headed by Jonathan Trott).

Q: No West Indies in a World Cup for the first time… Didn’t you find it odd? 

A: It was very surprising when the West Indies didn’t qualify. Some of the finest players ever over the 22 yards have worn the West Indies’ maroon cap. 

Q: Again, a debate over the sustainability of the 50-over format. Like Test cricket, shouldn’t ODIs be protected by those who take the biggest decisions?

A: It’s all in the hands of the ICC… Those responsible shouldn’t bother so much about money, but be concerned about the game. Look at tennis, different surfaces still exist. So, why not different formats?

Q: Last one, Kaps… What did you make of Glenn Maxwell’s 201 not out, which many equated with your epic against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup?

A: Saw Maxwell’s knock in patches… It seemed he was batting against kids! I don’t wish to get into comparisons. My view is that the next generation is always better.