I admire Dhoni's daredevil style, Kapil Dev says

Dubai: Kapil Dev, the first Indian captain to lift the World Cup, is overjoyed that his feat has been emulated by Mahendra Singh Dhoni after a 28-year-long wait.

In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, one of the greatest all-rounders of the game spoke at length about his feelings and the factors that helped the present team climb the pedestal of glory on April 2 — just like his team, known as Kapil Devils, at Lord's on June 25, 1983.

Following are the excerpts:

Gulf News: What was your first feeling after India won the World Cup after 28 years?

Kapil Dev: It was a terrific feeling. It not only gave me joy and also for the entire country but the most important factor is that in the last five years, India has made giant leaps in sports. The performances of Indian sportsmen in the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games are an example. I am not saying we are the best, but the growth has begun not only in sports but business and all around and the World Cup win is just part of it. Every country needs such victories to move forward. The happiness I derived from this victory is hard to express in words because when we won in 1983, I could not experience how the people celebrated it. This time, by not being part of the team and as an outsider I witnessed the joy of the people and it was unbelievable. 

What is the quality that Mahendra Singh Dhoni and you have in common?

It is very difficult to speak about my qualities, but I think Dhoni's approach to the game is very simple and straight. This is one quality that I admire about him — and he takes risks. When you take risks and things don't go your way you can be heavily criticised by the media. One ball or a decision can change the life of a sportsman, but the people who have the courage to do it come out victorious. 

What is the quality that you saw in the present team which was similar to the 1983 World Cup winning team?

There is no similarity between the 1983 squad and the present team. This team is far better than my team in every aspect. It is more experienced and stronger. Their track record is fabulous and they have a great player called Sachin Tendulkar — this century's best cricketer who can perform in any form of cricket. They have match winners in Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, who came out with flying colours, Gautam Gambhir and with Dhoni performing at the right time. So it is very difficult to pinpoint one player because when a team with so many match winners plays as a unit they cannot be beaten. 

Do you think that the present Indian team can reign at the top? What do you think is needed to remain the best?

India needs to improve as a fielding unit and strengthen its fast bowling. They have all the other qualities in plenty. It is true Harbhajan did not do well, but he is a fabulous bowler. We often talk about the past spinners like Bishen Singh Bedi, Venkataraghavan, Prasanna and Chandrasekhar, but I think Harbhajan and Anil Kumble, in the last 10 years, have done far better than our spinners of the past. If India has to dominate world cricket in the next 10 years, they have to improve their fielding and fast bowling. 

So, to improve the fast bowling department what do you suggest?

I don't think I need to suggest anything, the Indian cricket board is smart and intelligent and they know what to do. It is just a matter of spotting the passion in the young boys. The only worrying factor is that if everyone only wants to become a batsman like Sachin Tendulkar, or Virender Sehwag, then it will be tough. You need youngsters to look up to Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan and aim to step into their shoes. If everybody tries to become a Tendulkar then it can lead to an imbalance in the team. 

After Kirsten, what type of coach would India need?

India had good coaches even before Kirsten. I feel Robin Singh and Venkatesh Prasad did extremely well. I agree that Kirsten has done a very good job, but it is the team that won the World Cup. However, I am not willing to accept that Kirsten is the only factor because the trend began when Singh and Prasad won the Twenty20 World Cup for India as coaches — when even India's biggest cricketer Tendulkar did not go with the team. The good thing about Kirsten is that he has now set the standards and everyone must follow it. 

Do you think an Indian coach could also be considered as the next coach?

If a foreign coach is good enough appoint him, but you need to breed your own people as coaches too. It is very important for the cricket board to think on those lines or in the long run we may lose somewhere. It is good to have the best of the best coaches if you can afford it but you need to train your people too as coaches. 

It was your idea — which you introduced through the ICL — which was hijacked and transformed into a success by the BCCI in the form of the IPL. How do you find its success?

ICL was not my sole idea, it belonged to a group of people. Since I was the leader everybody talks about it. For example it was one person's idea to make an aeroplane but other people came forward and made it better. So I am happy that the IPL has done thousand times better. I have not liked Lalit Modi's way of working but I must say that he has done a fabulous job.

What do you feel about the ICC's decision to reduce the teams to ten in the next World Cup, thereby keeping away associate and affiliate countries?

I feel that World Cup cricket should be played like football in which all the 160 countries take part. If only a handful of countries are going to keep on playing in the World Cup without making the game popular, I will be a sad man. 

Having watched the India-Pakistan game in Mohali do you think the two nations should immediately resume a cricket series?

As a cricketer, I would want India to play against everybody. As an Indian I would like to back my government. If they feel that we can play them we should. We represent India and what the country feels is more important than my personal likes.