'Rohit is Good But He...,' Kapil Dev On Rohit Sharma Ahead Of Asia Cup and World Cup 2023
Indian skipper and opener, Rohit Sharma. (Twitter)
Kapil Dev expressed his admiration for Bazball in a recent interview and lauded England's performance in the Ashes series. He encouraged Indian captain Rohit Sharma to adopt a more aggressive stance and emphasized the importance of prioritizing victory over settling for draws.
England's aggressive approach in cricket, known as 'Bazball', has gained significant attention worldwide. The strategy, championed by head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, has reshaped perceptions of Test cricket. This fearless style of play has garnered praise from various quarters, including former Indian captain Kapil Dev.
Here's what he said:
"Bazball is wonderful. The series between England and Australia was one of the finest series I have seen in recent times. I think cricket should be played like that. Rohit is good. But he must be more aggressive. You have to think about how teams like England play now. And it’s not just us. All cricket-playing countries have to think on those lines. Winning the game should be the highest priority (not play for draws) for all teams.”
He further highlighted that the England-Australia series was among the best he had witnessed and believed that cricket should be played with such intensity. He urged all cricket-playing nations, including India, to rethink their playing strategies in line with this approach. He emphasised that the primary focus should be on winning matches rather than playing for draws.
Regarding India's prospects in the upcoming ODI World Cup, Kapil Dev, who led India to victory in the 1983 World Cup, emphasized the significance of reaching the top four (semifinals). He noted that once a team achieves this milestone, it opens up possibilities for success in the tournament. Kapil mentioned that some luck and favorable circumstances are required from the semifinal stage onward, but the crucial step is securing a spot in the top four.
“They need to come in the top four (semi-finals) first. After that, anything is possible. You need a stroke of luck from the semi-final stage onwards and need things to go your way. But the most important thing is to reach the top four,” the 64-year-old stated.
India's immediate ODI assignment is the Asia Cup 2023, co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, aims to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the 10-team World Cup scheduled for October-November.
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