Mar 26, 2007 12:51 PM
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Remember the great Kapil Dev – regarded as India’s greatest all rounder? Who can forget him, since he’s still around as a match analyst, part-time model and golf player?When I look at Sachin Tendulkar’s current record(after the last two years in particular), I am reminded of Kapil Dev’s last leg in world cricket.
Kapil Dev is the only captain to have led India to a World Cup win in 1983. In that tournament he scored the then world record of 175*. He gave credo to the adage – leading from the front. And there was no looking back for the Harayana Hurricane as he was often called. Taking wickets and making runs became a habit for him and he was soon known as one of the best four all rounders of world cricket. But in 1987, when the Aussies had just begun their journey to the way up, he slipped, for the first time, going wicketless in a three-match test-series. After that, the decline was steep and fast and Kapil the bowler played primarily on reputation(barring a rich haul of 25 wickets in Australia in 1991) till he announced his retirement a few years later. Kapil it seems was playing to break Sir Richard Hadlee’s world record of 431 wickets. The minute he overtook the great fast bowler, he hung in his boots.
A similar story is that of SR Tendulkar. We all know everything about Sachin Tendulkar and his greatness and his now recent slump. Ever since the last World Cup where Sachin was the highest run getter, he has never been the same batsman. Injuries have plagued him and his form seems to have deserted him. He is no longer the most feared batsman in the Indian ranks and neither is he anywhere close to the top slot in world batting. The unconquered king who harassed Shane Warne even in his sleep(certainly his nightmare) has now been humbled by almost every bowler.
Sachin Tendulkar once mesmerized the world by his peerless batting; he is now a national embarrassment. And this is not the first time an Indian great has become a liability. Sunil Gavaskar retired in the prime of form. Kapil Dev did not follow a similar route and he tumbled on till it was almost inevitable. Sachin Tendulkar should follow Gavaskar rather than trying to ape Kapil Dev. Retire now sir, because the world deserves to remember you as a legend and not as a loser.
I recommend him for his overall contribution to Indian cricket
