Kapil Dev takes swipe at Sachin Tendulkar, Mumbai cricket

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Stirring a hornet's nest, former India captain Kapil Dev has suggested that Sachin Tendulkar, despite his numerous records, may not have done full justice to his talent. Tendulkar "did not know how to make double hundreds, triple hundreds and 400 though he had the ability to scale such peaks" and was "stuck in the Bombay school of cricket", the famed all-rounder said.

"Don't get me wrong, but I think Sachin didn't do justice to his talent," Kapil was quoted as saying by the Khaleej Times during an event in Dubai. Kapil said Sachin could have modelled himself more on Vivian Richards and played like Virender Sehwag. "He (Sachin) got stuck with Bombay cricket. He didn't apply himself to ruthless international cricket. I think he should have spent more time with Vivian Richards than some of the Bombay guys who played just neat and straight cricket," he said. Kapil Dev's comments are sure to rile a lot of Tendulkar supporters not just in Mumbai but all across the cricketing fraternity. It's also clear that Kapil took a dig at Mumbai cricket while speaking on Tendulkar.

Reacting to Kapil's thoughts, former India captain and Mumbai stalwart Ajit Wadekar told TOI, "Records didn't matter to Sachin. He played for the team. And when it comes to Bombay school of cricket, I think Sachin knew how to win games. That's what's important."

Kapil said he would have advised Tendulkar to play like Sehwag. "He (Sachin) had the ability. He was technically sound but I felt he was there to get his hundred and that's it. Unlike Richards, Sachin wasn't ruthless; he was more of a perfect, or rather correct cricketer. Had I spent more time with him I would have told him 'Go enjoy yourself, play like Virender Sehwag'. You will be a much better cricketer."

The 56-year-old made these remarks before a select crowd at an event at a Dubai hotel which also had legends like Shane Warne, Wasim Akram and Ian Botham.

Former Mumbai captain Shishir Hattangadi, however felt that the Kapil's observations were 'elder brotherly' in nature. "It's an elder brother kind of observation. If the report is true, I feel Kapil felt Sachin was capable of much more, without undermining what he has achieved. And speaking about Bombay cricket, Kapil is probably implying that he could have been more carefree and flamboyant and not khadoos. I would have appreciated this if this advice had come earlier when Sachin was playing."

Kapil hasn't had the highest respect for Mumbai cricket over the years. During his playing days, Kapil had taken pot shots on Mumbai cricket. He has been critical of Tendulkar too on occasions in the past. In 2003, Kapil had slammed the government for waiving the Rs 1.13 crore duty on the Ferrari car gifted to Tendulkar by Fiat.