Bowlers are workers, batsmen are officers: Kapil

GUWAHATI: Former India cricket captain Kapil Dev on Sunday likened bowlers to workers and batsmen to officers and said most youngsters are eager to bat instead of bowl. “Who wants to be a bowler? Everybody wants to be like Tendulkar, Sehwag, Dhoni or Gambhir who are officers,” he said. “Bowlers are mazdoors (workers). Who wants to be a worker? Everybody wants to be an officer,” added the World Cupwinning skipper.

He was replying to a question from the audience on the paucity of fast bowlers in the country during an interaction with students, parents and faculty members of a citybased school.

Later, when approached by reporters on the statement, the first Indian bowler who took 400 wickets in Test cricket said, “Even a fivewicket haul (in an innings) gets a bowler less credit than a century (by a batsman).”

Asked about role models, Kapil said, “My role models have kept on changing ... As I enter a new phase of life and

Bowlers are mazdoors. Who wants to be a worker? Even a five-wicket haul (in a match) gets a bowler less credit than a century.

KAPIL DEV

my circle broadens I start learning new things.” SACHIN IN GOOD FORM He also said Sachin Tendulkar is in good form and expressed a wish to see the batting maestro complete 30 years in international cricket.

“It is great that he (Sachin) has completed 23 years in international cricket. I wish to see him complete 30 years. He is playing good,” Kapil told reporters here in reply to a query on Tendulkar’s role in the Indian team.

He, however, refused to give a direct answer on his earlier comments on ICC’s day-night Test cricket formula. “When the time comes for the Board (BCCI) to decide on the matter, then we can say something,” said Kapil who had earlier objected the idea of having day-night Tests.

Asked about conferring the Bharat Ratna to sports-persons, Kapil said, “Policy makers should be asked this question. However, if any sportsperson is granted such honours we will all definitely feel proud.”