Kapil: SA tour a double-edged sword
Former Indian skipper Kapil Dev is worried that big guns may get injured before the World Cup.
By Faisal Kamal
As World Cup approaches and India have a great opportunity to make history at home, the question doing the rounds is whether Dhoni’s Devils should undertake the arduous tour of South Africa starting later this month.
As World Cup approaches and India have a great opportunity to make history at home, the question doing the rounds is whether Dhoni’s Devils should undertake the arduous tour of South Africa starting later this month.
World Cup-winning skipper Kapil Dev is clearly confused.
Speaking at an ESPN-STAR SPORTS-organised World Cup promotional event in New Delhi on Thursday, Kapil said that India's tour of South Africa can be vital preparation for the World Cup but has its risks as well.
"India will benefit from the South Africa tour. They are a strong side. If India play good cricket on good pitches then they are bound to take positives out of the series. If they start playing well in South Africa then their confidence level will be very high going into the World Cup. Even if they do not perform well, they will have a chance to improve when they come back. And playing at home is always an advantage. So it is a win-win situation," said Kapil.
India take on South Africa in a three-Test, five one-dayer series and a one-off Twenty20 starting December 16. Kapil is also worried that India may be playing too much cricket ahead of the World Cup.
"Too much cricket can hamper their preparations. There is always an injury scare once a team starts playing too much cricket. So the tour is like a double-edged sword. But if they do well in South Africa then Team India looks the best side on paper along with Sri Lanka," said Kapil.
Sharing the stage with Kapil, Viv Richards and Arjuna Ranatunga, Pakistan's 1992 World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan believes that the South African tour can work wonders for Team India.
“I actually think that if India have a tough tour of South Africa it is better for them. Tougher the competition before the World Cup, the better you are prepared. Never worry about injuries. They are part and parcel of the game. Before the 1992 Cup, I trained the hardest but ended up with an injury. You should play the toughest matches in the most challenging conditions before a mega-event," opined Imran.
Kapil believes that Sachin Tendulkar's presence is enough to rattle any opposition, but hopes that the star player remains fit for the showpiece event starting February 19.
"I hope he is playing, that’s the most important thing. He is such an important figure in world cricket and not just for India. He brings people to the ground. He gives you the strength and the psychological edge. His vast experience is just so invaluable," said Kapil.
In what was a tribute to Tendulkar’s longevity in world cricket, Kapil said: "I don't believe that this is going to be Tendulkar's last World Cup. Every time I thought he would retire, he would just go on. I think he is going to play another one after this (2011). Until and unless he wins, he will not go. And we pray for the same," Kapil concluded.
Speaking at an ESPN-STAR SPORTS-organised World Cup promotional event in New Delhi on Thursday, Kapil said that India's tour of South Africa can be vital preparation for the World Cup but has its risks as well.
"India will benefit from the South Africa tour. They are a strong side. If India play good cricket on good pitches then they are bound to take positives out of the series. If they start playing well in South Africa then their confidence level will be very high going into the World Cup. Even if they do not perform well, they will have a chance to improve when they come back. And playing at home is always an advantage. So it is a win-win situation," said Kapil.
India take on South Africa in a three-Test, five one-dayer series and a one-off Twenty20 starting December 16. Kapil is also worried that India may be playing too much cricket ahead of the World Cup.
"Too much cricket can hamper their preparations. There is always an injury scare once a team starts playing too much cricket. So the tour is like a double-edged sword. But if they do well in South Africa then Team India looks the best side on paper along with Sri Lanka," said Kapil.
Sharing the stage with Kapil, Viv Richards and Arjuna Ranatunga, Pakistan's 1992 World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan believes that the South African tour can work wonders for Team India.
“I actually think that if India have a tough tour of South Africa it is better for them. Tougher the competition before the World Cup, the better you are prepared. Never worry about injuries. They are part and parcel of the game. Before the 1992 Cup, I trained the hardest but ended up with an injury. You should play the toughest matches in the most challenging conditions before a mega-event," opined Imran.
Kapil believes that Sachin Tendulkar's presence is enough to rattle any opposition, but hopes that the star player remains fit for the showpiece event starting February 19.
"I hope he is playing, that’s the most important thing. He is such an important figure in world cricket and not just for India. He brings people to the ground. He gives you the strength and the psychological edge. His vast experience is just so invaluable," said Kapil.
In what was a tribute to Tendulkar’s longevity in world cricket, Kapil said: "I don't believe that this is going to be Tendulkar's last World Cup. Every time I thought he would retire, he would just go on. I think he is going to play another one after this (2011). Until and unless he wins, he will not go. And we pray for the same," Kapil concluded.
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