New Delhi: Former Indian captain Kapil Dev’s view that Sachin Tendulkar should have retired from ODI cricket after the World Cup today evoked sharp reactions from former cricketers who said that he was still the “main player” of the team and should be allowed to decide when to retire.
Tendulkar’s poor form with the bat during the tour of Australia had prompted Kapil to suggest that the champion batsman should give up one form of the game to prolong his Test career.
However, there were other cricketers who felt that Tendulkar could still contribute in the shorter format of the game and calls for his retirement are not warranted.
“Leave Sachin alone. He is still our main player. I don’t agree with the people saying that he should retire. He has given enough to the Indian cricket. He deserves all the respect. Leave Sachin alone,” former wicket-keeper Kiran More said.
Former Indian captain Gundappa Viswanath was in favour of allowing Tendulkar to decide when he should call it quits.
“I have always said it’s upto Sachin to decide on his career. I don’t want to say anything else or comment on Indian cricket at this moment,” he said.
Former captain Bishen Singh Bedi also disagreed with Kapil that Tendulkar should have retired from ODIs after the World Cup.
“That’s Kapil’s opinion. It is Tendulkar’s prerogative when he has to call it a day. I don’t think, any of us here is in a position to say when Tendulkar should retire,” he said.
Former opener Anshuman Gaekwad said Tendulkar should continue playing the ODI format as he is still performing and no youngster is ready to take his place.
“Tell me one good reason why Sachin should retire from ODIs. Is it because he is playing international cricket for more than 20 years? Or is it he has set high standards for so long? Or is it that his 100th international ton is approaching,” Gaekwad asked.
“Sachin has been scoring in 40s and 50s even now. Tell me a youngster who can replace him. Let the youngsters perform and push him out of the team. Youngsters have been inconsistent and patchy,” he added.
Kapil, in an article, was also critical of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s captaincy, saying that captain should not only be fair but should appear to be so. Of late, Dhoni has given reasons to raise doubts about him, Kapil pointed out.
More, however, felt there was nothing wrong in Dhoni’s captaincy. “There is nothing wrong in his captaincy. We just played poor cricket.” (PTI)
