India’s 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev has thrown his weight behind the Virat Kohli-led side ahead of the blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan at the 2019 ICC World Cup on Sunday.
Speaking to an Indian news agency in Chennai, Dev thought ‘India is a far better side than Pakistan, and that the Pakistani side he played during his days was much better’.
"Looking at both the teams the Indian team is definitely far better. I am not saying because I am Indian," the former Indian skipper. "But I feel when I was playing the Pakistan team was much better than us. Today I can say that if they play 10 matches, India will win 7. India are far better than Pakistan. What happens that day God knows."
Though Indians have been long criticised for their lack of quality fast bowlers, the rise of Jasprit Bumrah has taken many by surprise. And Dev was happy to see the Indian set up come a long way in this respect. "When you don't have something and you get it, you feel proud about that. That is what has happened to the Indian team in the last 15 years, bowlers started coming up. Often all cricketers say bowlers win matches."
He had praises for Bumrah, who has begun this tournament with form on his side and taken five wickets in two games. "When I saw him (Bumrah) for the first time I thought that he will not have such ability. I changed my word and I say God he is really fantastic. From such a short run-up he can produce so much pace. I just want him to be fit for the next five years."
Another stand-out factor of this team has been their skipper Virat Kohli. And Dev believed that the Delhi man is ‘too good’ to be compared to himself. “Virat Kohli. He is too good. I don't think I can compare myself with him. He is really good. He is the no.1 player in the world."
He also backed former captain MS Dhoni following the controversy over his gloves which had an Army insignia engraved on them. The ICC turned down BCCI's request to let Dhoni wear the same gloves, saying it was against its regulations. "It is not a controversy and he showed a feeling within him to put a logo there and we have to go with the system. I don't think he realised that it is going to be such a big thing. You have to go through the system or the law.”
"I respect Dhoni and he showed passion and love for his country and Army people and that is nothing wrong."
Feature image courtesy: AFP Photo/ Arun Shankar
