Former India captain and legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev has accepted that he was doubtful about Jasprit Bumrah’s long-term survival in international cricket with such an unorthodox action, but he said he has been proven wrong by the pacer.
Kapil termed Bumrah a “fabulous” pacer and said the Gujarat lad has completely changed people’s insight about bowlers with unorthodox action. He said, “He is fabulous. When I saw Bumrah for the first time, I thought how would he play with such an awkward action. But this player has changed our thought process and today we feel players with awkward action will play for their country for long.”
A severe example of fitness, Kapil also praised for India skipper Virat Kohli for turning the current team as one of the fittest in world cricket. He said, “Every captain has his thought process. This captain (Virat Kohli) has brought up an idea of fitness in the team and I think we should respect his decision,. You may be very talented but if you can’t take catches and save extra runs for the team, it is of no use. A minimum level of athleticism is required. Yo-Yo test is not something which a player can’t clear.”
He further added, “I was also a very fitness freak and it will be unfair if I don’t stand by it. I feel fitness to zaruri hai (fitness is important). The message that goes to youngsters is that you have to maintain a certain level of fitness. I support Virat in that.”
Kapil also came in support of the Indian team management’s decision to test young Hardik Pandya in different positions in order to develop him as a fine all-rounder. He said, “The team management knows better. We can have views sitting outside but they know better. We all want Hardik Pandya to do better. Surely, the team management is thinking something good about him.”
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced numerous changes in playing conditions, which includes a restriction on dimensions of the bat, the introduction of cricketer send-offs for wrongdoing and changes to the Decision Review System among others, on September 28.
Talking about the same, India’s world cup winning skipper said, “The changes in the rules are always introduced for the betterment of the game. There should be changes but rules should be modified as well. Only time will tell the impact of the new rules.”
