Scrap selection committee, says Kapil Dev

Former India cricket captain Kapil Dev demanded that the present national selection committee be scrapped, and a three member committee comprising former Test players be installed in its place.

Asked why first class players could not fill the role of national selectors, Kapil Dev replied that a person had to have played a Test to understand the pressures that go with it.

Speaking to newsmen in Jaipur, Kapil praised Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara as the best batsmen in the world at present, while rating Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Allan Donald as the best of the quicks. He was also full of praise for Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad, whom he termed the most potent opening attack to do duty for India in recent times, while adding that Dodda Ganesh had the potential to develop, in a couple of years time, into a premier strike bowler.

Kapil felt that the Indian team now touring the Caribbean was packed with talent, but strangely reluctant to capitalise on opportunities. "They keep frittering away their chances to win," Kapil lamented, adding that whenever India has fought back, it has pulled off dramatic wins "like in the 1983 World Cup."

Kapil argued that Ajay Jadeja was the player best fitted to open the Indian innings with Navjot Singh Sidhu. When he was reminded that Jadeja had not been picked as first choice opener, Kapil shot back: "Then ask the selectors why!"

The former all rounder said he was willing to offer his services as an administrator, but said he would not be willing to be involved in any other capacity. Asked if he had plans to start a coaching academy, Kapil said no.

The former star called for improving the standards of cricket fields in India, arguing that Calcutta and Mohali were the only two good grounds India had at present. "On other grounds, players hesitate to dive to stop the ball, which explains why we don't produce good fielders."

Kapil also lamented the lack of good cricketing pitches in the country, and said that it was time the BCCI, which was earning a lot of money through sponsorships, invested some of the money to improving the pitches and the standard of the domestic game in general. "Money earned through the game should be invested back in the game, to ensure that the standard is improved," Kapil said.