Kapil Dev >

[Ernest]

Hi,

I remember the days when England had Ian Botham, and India had Kapil Dev, two truly remarkable players, giants as all-rounders, and both great cricketers.

England it seems up to now at least, to have found a new potential great all-rounder in Freddie Flintoff.

Is there a new Kapil Dev soon to be arriving for India?,are there any young players, wanting to play like Kapil Dev?, or do India not feel the need to play an all-rounder.

[vvvrulz]

Well Irfan Pathan can certainly handle the bat, but not quite to the calibre of Kapil it seems. I hope they develop both aspects of his game.

A good allrounder is what India has lacked in a good ten years or so.

[imaginarydiva]

Exactly my thoughts!Irfan is the best prospect.But Ajit Agarkar,Zaheer,Murali Karthick and Ramesh Powar are not bad either.

[Zainub]

Ajit Agarkar. He's an interesting cricketer. Has a test centurty to his name, against England, at the Lords, but also has a nickname of Bombay Duck because of his runs of zeros against Aus...lots of unfulfilled potential there those stats suggest. Very frustrating player for his fan one has to feel. Never quite does as well consistenty as capable he is. Good series in Australia saw him bowling a match winning spell in Adelaide to seal India's vicotory, he took a 5 for then. And later bowled well in the ODIs too. Since then it's been all up and down. India's selectors I must say haven't helped his confidence either.

[Nikhil]

Hi Ernest,

Well there is always a need for a quality all-rounder. India won't mind playing one, given he fits the bill. There is never a team which does not need a quality player. But then playing an all-rounder for the sake of it, is suicidal. At the moment, I don't think there is any *real* allrounder in the Indian squad.

Irfan Pathan is touted as a potential allrounder and if he keeps his developement at this rate, he will be a handy one soon. Let's not forget Flintoff took about five years to develop completely and live up to his billing. Pathan has arrived on the scene about a year ago. Primarily he's a swing bolwer, but he's no mug with the bat either. Has a decent defence and can use the long handle. What he does not have is the orthodox shots of a batsman.

Having said all this, I will be the first to admit, he's not an allrounder yet. He *can* become one. But that's just wishful thinking.

[Zainub]

Like the bit where you say playing an all rounder for the sake of it will be suicidal. Really makes a lot of sense to me. Good post over all Nikhil you make some very valid points. And I agree through out.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Nikhil

Irfan Pathan is touted as a potential allrounder and if he keeps his developement at this rate, he will be a handy one soon. Let's not forget Flintoff took about five years to develop completely and live up to his billing. Pathan has arrived on the scene about a year ago. Primarily he's a swing bolwer, but he's no mug with the bat either. Has a decent defence and can use the long handle. What he does not have is the orthodox shots of a batsman.

Yes Nikhil, this is my point, Flintoff did take quite a while to come through as a genuine all-rounder, I must admit I never lost faith in him, and have always posted so, but a lot of ny pot
sts were met the derision, when I posted the BBC, and on here at first.
I have heard a lot about this guy Irfan Pathan, so he must have potential, I know Flitoff is a bit nippy, but Botham was nowhere near as fast, and he was the man along with Kapil Dev,

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi 30236

Like the bit where you say playing an all rounder for the sake of it will be suicidal. Really makes a lot of sense to me. Good post over all Nikhil you make some very valid points. And I agree through out.

Hi Zainub,
Yes it was a good post, but out of that post was some hope, but that is for a little way down the line.

"Suicidal", I agree, Oh England searched for a replacement for Botham for years, and ended up with a list of never was players like David Capel, and Ronnie Irani.
Seems to me Patham needs to be allowed to develop his game, with not to much coaching.

[imaginarydiva]

Been pretty impressed with ramesh powar's all round performance in the Ranji's.Ne1 been floowing the Ranji matches.Put up sum cool names for selection.

[vvvrulz]

Yeah I forgot about him, he was pretty impressive on India's tour to Pakistan. Unfortunately he will probably disappear..

[imaginarydiva]

Yeah i guess ur right.Btw,looks like hes gearing up for a modelling career with his new funky avatar.LOL.