Kohli's team can win under any condition, says Gavaskar

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes the current Indian team under Virat Kohli, unlike the team he was part of, has the ability to defeat an opponent with a 3-0 or a 4-0 margin.

Sunil Gavaskar rates Andy Roberts as the most potent fast bowler he faced.

 

Former Indian captain and legend Sunil Gavaskar has said the current Indian team under Virat Kohli possesses the capability to win in any situation. Gavaskar said he was happy to see the way [the] team is playing. "I like the attitude of this team and the believe they have in each other."

He said the current team, unlike the team he was part of, has the ability to defeat an opponent with a 3-0 or a 4-0 margin. Speaking candidly, Gavaskar recalled his playing days and said every cricketer has certain unfulfilled dreams. "I would have loved to smash a six on the first ball I faced, but the game was different then. So when I saw Sehwag doing it, it made me happy."

The former opening batsmen singled out Andy Roberts, the West Indian fast bowler, as the most dangerous bowler he had ever faced. "Andy had the ability to bowl an unplayable ball even when you have crossed 150."

Gavaskar ascertained that Ajit Wadekar was the greatest captain he played under, and said Kapil Dev was the greatest match-winner he had ever seen. “Wadekar was never given the credit he deserved, he won a series in West Indies and England. I feel in India, only if you speak good English you were seen as a good captain, which is not fair.”

About Kapil Dev, he said the all-rounder had the ability to win with both the bat and the ball. "Kapil also showed the way for fast bowlers. It was he who paved the way for fast bowlers that came, before him India didn't have the culture of producing fast bowlers."

'Test cricket still the ultimate format'

Gavaskar said although he liked Twenty20, Test match still held a special place in his heart. “T20 has added a new dimension to the game, and energised the cricket but it is too batsman friendly. Test still remains the ultimate format for me.”

He further added, "Test cricket doesn't need much tinkering, it has its own charm. One change which I would like is probably introducing wide ball down the leg side to ensure no bowler bowls negative line."

On the issue of Day-Night Test, he said that it can be played only in places where dew doesn't have a role to play. "If dew comes in then spinners become irrelevant for that part of the game, which is not anyone wants. You want to see a match which is challenging for batsmen and bowlers."

Sunil Gavaskar was speaking at SporTale festival- India's first ever sports literature festival.