Never expected 20-30 years back that we would have so many fast bowlers- Kapil Dev lauds Indian pace battery

Indian pacers have played vital role in team's success over last few years.

By Ankitjit Singh - 15 Apr, 2021

Former Indian skipper Kapil Dev has heaped praise for India’s current fast bowlers and said they are some of the best bowlers in the world and it is a great thing to have. 

Kapil Dev’s comment came after he returned back to playing golf after recovering from a cardiac surgery that he underwent in October 2020.

The 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev lauded the Indian pace battery and said that he never expected 20-30 years back that Team India will have so many fast bowlers. 

"It is great. I never expected 20-30 years back that we can have so many fast bowlers and a fast bowler who can be the top bowler of the world. You can say they are some of the best in the world -- (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammad) Shami, and Bhuvneshwar (Kumar). I think it is great," Kapil Dev told IANS. 

Kapil Dev said that during his time being a fast bowler was a novelty but now Team India has so many that if first choice pacers are not playing then the other three will come and will win the game for the team.

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"When I started playing cricket, a fast bowler was a novelty. Now we have so many. If three of our fast bowlers are not playing, then the next three can take their place and win the match for the team," he said. 

While talking about swashbuckling all-rounder  Hardik Pandya said that he a long way to go before proving himself.

"I think he has to go a long way. He is a great talent and a very good cricketer. He has to work on his fitness," said Kapil Dev. 

Kapil Dev, who played 131 Test matches and 225 ODIs, further said that the only time he watches cricket closely and analytical is when he has to talk about it but often enjoys watching cricket.  

"The only time I watch cricket closely and analytically is when I have to talk about it on television and news channels. Otherwise, I just see it as anybody watching cricket. I don't put my mind to it. I just enjoy the game," he said. 

While concluding his talks, former Indian skipper Kapil Dev said that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic is proving to be a learning experience.

"Great, very good. God is kind. I am kicking around. It (Covid-19 pandemic) is not tough. It is a positive thing. It is something in this world that nobody ever experienced. It is not bad. It is a learning," he concluded. 

(IANS) 

By Ankitjit Singh - 15 Apr, 2021

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