Praise and admiration rained down on Sachin Tendulkar and Muttiah Muralidaran on Friday, as cricket's two most successful performers prepared to bring their World Cup careers to an end.
India opener Tendulkar, playing in his sixth and probably last World Cup, is desperate to capture the only piece of silverware missing from his record-breaking collection.
Added spice is provided by Saturday's final against Sri Lanka being played at his home Wankhede stadium in Mumbai where a century will make him the first batsman to score a hundred international centuries.
"If you bat with Sachin for 15 games you have the kind of experience you'd have after 50 games," said India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in praise of a man who is just three weeks shy of his 38th birthday.
Dhoni, whose team reached the final by putting out champions Australia and Pakistan in the knockout rounds, added that India have still to hit top gear as they aim to become the first team to win the World Cup on home turf.
"There is plenty more to come from us. We gained momentum as the tournament went on and we are now peaking at the right time."
Muralidaran, the only member of Sri Lanka's 1996 World Cup winning squad still playing in the national team, will retire after Saturday, bringing down the curtain on a 19-year career which has yielded 534 ODI wickets.
The off-spinner, who will celebrate his 39th birthday on April 17, is an injury doubt for Saturday's match after suffering a series of injuries throughout the tournament.
But with 15 wickets already to his name in this event, he is crucial to his team's chances and is just three wickets short of equalling Australian seamer Glenn McGrath's record of 71 World Cup victims.
"Murali's presence is always important. He's a big-match player, he's been amazing for us, so hopefully if he is fit he will take the field," said Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara.
The media in India and Sri Lanka were in a frenzy ahead of the final.
"Sri Lanka can!" said the Colombo-based Daily FT in banner headlines. "Wishing the Sri Lankan team best of luck," the Daily Mirror said. 'Rally round team," urged the front-page headline in the state-run Daily News.
Cinemas and theatres said they were cancelling their Saturday evening shows as the entire country was expected to be watching the final on television.
Cricket clubs said they would set up giant television screens while bars said they were extending "happy hour" to cover the entire duration of the match.
In India, the Hindustan Times headlined its front page: "Now for the icing on the cake.”
শুক্রবার, ১ এপ্রিল, ২০১১
MS staying in the moment
The onus is on Indian skipper MS Dhoni. The excitement, expectation and hype surrounding the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup has mainly been focused on the Indian side, especially as they are going to play the big match at home. They have also been tagged as favourites to win the final, and expectations have peaked after the 29-run victory over Pakistan in the high-voltage semifinal at Mohali.
The cricket-mad Indian people are not ready to believe that Dhoni's boys will frustrate them after the way they have progressed to the last stage since starting the campaign as a 'hot favourite'. India are now very near to achieving a unique feat by winning the World Cup at home, but captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni played down the hype when speaking at a pre-match press conference at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday, on the eve of the highly anticipated all-Asian final. But there was no shortage of confidence about his team's chance to lift the trophy for the second time in their history after the 1983 triumph of Kapil Dev's outsiders.
“Pakistan game was a big game and you saw the guest list, so there was further pressure. But what we know as a team is not the hype or expectations. In a sport you may be at your best, but the opposition can outplay you,” said Dhoni when he was asked about the high expectation with the final.
“We did not have a long break between semifinal and final; that however helps not to think too much ahead of the final. You however must be in the present when you want to do well in a tournament like this in India. Every game was a challenge for us. We had to be at our best. We did not think too much about our result; how to increase our intensity is the issue,” said Dhoni.
“It's not about quarters or semis but the final, how you turn up to the field and what you do till the end is important. Full stop does not come if the sentence is not complete. We know our strengths, weaknesses, and what we need to do on the field. It is a big game for all of us,” he said adding that it's important how a team prepare for this kind of battle.
India won their previous games quite comfortably, though many believe that their vaunted batting line-up is yet to click at their best, and Dhoni also said that there is plenty to come from his side.
“If you just talk about potential as to what we can do, there is plenty to come. We have done quite well in the tournament, won games with runs in the pocket and quite a few wickets left when we chased. If we do everything to the best we can, it will be a very interesting game,” said the keeper-batsman, adding: “Irrespective of what the result is, I am very proud of the team.”
“We gained momentum slowly and it was important because we were too focused from the start and to keep the momentum for 35-40 days becomes really difficult. We peaked at the right time. The format gave us those extra moments where we could relax a little,” he explained when asked about the long duration of the tournament.
Sri Lanka has variety in their bowling attack which can test the strong Indian batting line-up in the final, but Dhoni rated the Pakistan attack highly.
“Pakistan has a more balanced bowling attack irrespective of what the wicket is. If you see the Mumbai track, there is a little pace and bounce for the bowlers. Third seamer can have an impact on the game. With spinners, if you have three spinners you can't manoeuvre. Ashwin has done very well, we have confidence in him but not sure of bowling combination right now,” observed Dhoni.
Dhoni hinted that they might play with three spinners although left-arm paceman Ashish Nehra is most likely ruled out due to a fracture on his middle finger on the right hand, and the Indian skipper suggested that right-arm pace bowler Shantakumaran Sreesanth was likely to replace Nehra in the team as India expected the pitch at the Wankhede Stadium to help seam bowlers.
The cricket-mad Indian people are not ready to believe that Dhoni's boys will frustrate them after the way they have progressed to the last stage since starting the campaign as a 'hot favourite'. India are now very near to achieving a unique feat by winning the World Cup at home, but captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni played down the hype when speaking at a pre-match press conference at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday, on the eve of the highly anticipated all-Asian final. But there was no shortage of confidence about his team's chance to lift the trophy for the second time in their history after the 1983 triumph of Kapil Dev's outsiders.
“Pakistan game was a big game and you saw the guest list, so there was further pressure. But what we know as a team is not the hype or expectations. In a sport you may be at your best, but the opposition can outplay you,” said Dhoni when he was asked about the high expectation with the final.
“We did not have a long break between semifinal and final; that however helps not to think too much ahead of the final. You however must be in the present when you want to do well in a tournament like this in India. Every game was a challenge for us. We had to be at our best. We did not think too much about our result; how to increase our intensity is the issue,” said Dhoni.
“It's not about quarters or semis but the final, how you turn up to the field and what you do till the end is important. Full stop does not come if the sentence is not complete. We know our strengths, weaknesses, and what we need to do on the field. It is a big game for all of us,” he said adding that it's important how a team prepare for this kind of battle.
India won their previous games quite comfortably, though many believe that their vaunted batting line-up is yet to click at their best, and Dhoni also said that there is plenty to come from his side.
“If you just talk about potential as to what we can do, there is plenty to come. We have done quite well in the tournament, won games with runs in the pocket and quite a few wickets left when we chased. If we do everything to the best we can, it will be a very interesting game,” said the keeper-batsman, adding: “Irrespective of what the result is, I am very proud of the team.”
“We gained momentum slowly and it was important because we were too focused from the start and to keep the momentum for 35-40 days becomes really difficult. We peaked at the right time. The format gave us those extra moments where we could relax a little,” he explained when asked about the long duration of the tournament.
Sri Lanka has variety in their bowling attack which can test the strong Indian batting line-up in the final, but Dhoni rated the Pakistan attack highly.
“Pakistan has a more balanced bowling attack irrespective of what the wicket is. If you see the Mumbai track, there is a little pace and bounce for the bowlers. Third seamer can have an impact on the game. With spinners, if you have three spinners you can't manoeuvre. Ashwin has done very well, we have confidence in him but not sure of bowling combination right now,” observed Dhoni.
Dhoni hinted that they might play with three spinners although left-arm paceman Ashish Nehra is most likely ruled out due to a fracture on his middle finger on the right hand, and the Indian skipper suggested that right-arm pace bowler Shantakumaran Sreesanth was likely to replace Nehra in the team as India expected the pitch at the Wankhede Stadium to help seam bowlers.
Sangakkara preaches controlled agression
It may be the biggest occasion in world cricket, but ahead of the World Cup final against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara was as calm and philosophical as he could be.
The dream of a billion souls was fulfilled when India beat arch-rivals Pakistan in the semifinal in Mohali to book their Mumbai ticket, but everyone in the cricket-mad country has now taken fresh guard ahead of the big battle. One thing is for sure; there will be no shortage of cheering from the stands for the home team.
But the question is whether it will be an inspiration or pressure for the home team?
“It cuts both ways I think. Playing in front of your home crowd adds to the excitement, the passion and the pride that you feel but the weight of expectation, when you feel that crowd looking at you to do everything right is also tough,” said Sri Lanka skipper Sangakkara at a crowded press conference yesterday. “We'd love to have played at home but that's not the way it is and we've accepted that and we'll try to make use of whatever conditions are out there for us and I'm sure the Indian crowd are always going to be appreciative of a good game of cricket,” added a diplomatic Sri Lankan skipper.
The wicket-keeper batsman played safely throughout the press conference but assured everybody that his side is ready to face the Indian challenge although he bracketed their opponents as favourites for the final.
“It's hard to pinpoint any weak link of the Indian team. They're a pretty good side. They've obviously been the favourites to win this tournament and they've got to the final and everyone will be looking to the Indians to keep doing that and keep playing as well as they have.
“But I don't think we're underdogs as such I think we're a pretty good unit. But we have to understand the fact that India, for the last year or two years, have been tagged as the favourites by almost everyone to win the World Cup. I'm sure they'll be looking at themselves as favourites too. We're just going to come and play as well as we can,” said Sangakkara.
It seemed that the special innings of Australian great Adam Gilchrist four years back in the 2007 World Cup final in West Indies has been still haunting the Sri Lanka team and Sangakkara said that they will try their best to avoid a repeat of that kind of scenario.
“Four years ago we were outdone by a fantastic innings from Adam Gilchrist. Hopefully we won't allow a repeat of that but even if that does happen, we've got to have the mental attitude to adjust and get back into the game. It's a lot do with how we approach it and what our attitude is going to be tomorrow,” he assured.
When asked about his team's mood with the toughest challenge in hand, Sangakkara said: “Everyone's excited but it's nice to see that it's a kind of controlled excitement. Everyone's relaxed, having a laugh. But also you can see there's a kind of steely determination behind all of that, knowing what a big job comes out of the way tomorrow. World Cup finals are huge occasions, so it's pretty tough to try and do too much really. We just want to hold on to what we have and do what we know we can do.
“I think it's just to use the occasion to lift yourself. The World Cups bring out the best in players, sometimes the worst, I think for us tomorrow is going to be about controlled aggression, not being too emotional, trying to stay grounded and in the moment and just take things as they come, plan and strategise as much as possible, but things can change out there in the middle, so you know, be fluid and do what we know what we can do,” he continued.
It's obvious that the heroics of 1996 under the leadership of Arjuna Ranatunga came to fore when Sri Lanka is on the brink of another historic day but Sangakkara has a different opinion when he was asked whether it will inspire his boys.
“The inspiration has always been there. Everything that's come afterwards has been because of that positive factor. For us, 1996 belongs to that particular team. Since then there've been other teams trying to forge their own way, trying to forge their own path and leave their own legacy for Sri Lanka cricket. I think Sri Lanka has kicked on from that, achieved great heights in cricket and a World Cup's a World Cup, be it in 1996 or 2011. It means the same thing to everyone to win it,” explained the Lankan skipper.
Sangakkara dismissed the notion that his side were not tested so far in the competition. He said: “For us, we are happy we are here. We have had to win games, we are pretty confident we are one of the best sides in the tournament. The wicket looks fantastic. But conditions here are totally different to Sri Lanka, the wickets are pretty even, it looks a pretty decent track and we are going to try to adapt to the conditions we have here.”
One thing is for certain though.
The two best teams in the tournament are going to play the all-Asian final in the cricket's mega event.
The dream of a billion souls was fulfilled when India beat arch-rivals Pakistan in the semifinal in Mohali to book their Mumbai ticket, but everyone in the cricket-mad country has now taken fresh guard ahead of the big battle. One thing is for sure; there will be no shortage of cheering from the stands for the home team.
But the question is whether it will be an inspiration or pressure for the home team?
“It cuts both ways I think. Playing in front of your home crowd adds to the excitement, the passion and the pride that you feel but the weight of expectation, when you feel that crowd looking at you to do everything right is also tough,” said Sri Lanka skipper Sangakkara at a crowded press conference yesterday. “We'd love to have played at home but that's not the way it is and we've accepted that and we'll try to make use of whatever conditions are out there for us and I'm sure the Indian crowd are always going to be appreciative of a good game of cricket,” added a diplomatic Sri Lankan skipper.
The wicket-keeper batsman played safely throughout the press conference but assured everybody that his side is ready to face the Indian challenge although he bracketed their opponents as favourites for the final.
“It's hard to pinpoint any weak link of the Indian team. They're a pretty good side. They've obviously been the favourites to win this tournament and they've got to the final and everyone will be looking to the Indians to keep doing that and keep playing as well as they have.
“But I don't think we're underdogs as such I think we're a pretty good unit. But we have to understand the fact that India, for the last year or two years, have been tagged as the favourites by almost everyone to win the World Cup. I'm sure they'll be looking at themselves as favourites too. We're just going to come and play as well as we can,” said Sangakkara.
It seemed that the special innings of Australian great Adam Gilchrist four years back in the 2007 World Cup final in West Indies has been still haunting the Sri Lanka team and Sangakkara said that they will try their best to avoid a repeat of that kind of scenario.
“Four years ago we were outdone by a fantastic innings from Adam Gilchrist. Hopefully we won't allow a repeat of that but even if that does happen, we've got to have the mental attitude to adjust and get back into the game. It's a lot do with how we approach it and what our attitude is going to be tomorrow,” he assured.
When asked about his team's mood with the toughest challenge in hand, Sangakkara said: “Everyone's excited but it's nice to see that it's a kind of controlled excitement. Everyone's relaxed, having a laugh. But also you can see there's a kind of steely determination behind all of that, knowing what a big job comes out of the way tomorrow. World Cup finals are huge occasions, so it's pretty tough to try and do too much really. We just want to hold on to what we have and do what we know we can do.
“I think it's just to use the occasion to lift yourself. The World Cups bring out the best in players, sometimes the worst, I think for us tomorrow is going to be about controlled aggression, not being too emotional, trying to stay grounded and in the moment and just take things as they come, plan and strategise as much as possible, but things can change out there in the middle, so you know, be fluid and do what we know what we can do,” he continued.
It's obvious that the heroics of 1996 under the leadership of Arjuna Ranatunga came to fore when Sri Lanka is on the brink of another historic day but Sangakkara has a different opinion when he was asked whether it will inspire his boys.
“The inspiration has always been there. Everything that's come afterwards has been because of that positive factor. For us, 1996 belongs to that particular team. Since then there've been other teams trying to forge their own way, trying to forge their own path and leave their own legacy for Sri Lanka cricket. I think Sri Lanka has kicked on from that, achieved great heights in cricket and a World Cup's a World Cup, be it in 1996 or 2011. It means the same thing to everyone to win it,” explained the Lankan skipper.
Sangakkara dismissed the notion that his side were not tested so far in the competition. He said: “For us, we are happy we are here. We have had to win games, we are pretty confident we are one of the best sides in the tournament. The wicket looks fantastic. But conditions here are totally different to Sri Lanka, the wickets are pretty even, it looks a pretty decent track and we are going to try to adapt to the conditions we have here.”
One thing is for certain though.
The two best teams in the tournament are going to play the all-Asian final in the cricket's mega event.
বৃহস্পতিবার, ৩১ মার্চ, ২০১১
Dernbach in England Performance squad
jade dernbach the Surrey pace bowler, is the only uncapped player in England's 27-man Performance Programme made up of the cricketers most likely to appear during the international season. There is also a place for Durham's Graham onions who ismaking good progress having recovered from the stress fracture of his back which forced him to miss the entire 2010 season.
Michael Yardy, who left the World Cup early due to depression, is among the squad as are wicketkeepers Craig Kieswetter and Steve Davies who will put pressure on Matt Prior for the one-day spot. The main purpose of the squad is to allow Andy Flower, the England team director, to manage the workload of key players during the summer.
Dernbach was called up to the World Cup after Yardy's departure but didn't get the chance to debut as England crashed to a 10-wicket defeat in the quarter-finals. However, he has been identified as another pace-bowling option as England look to bolster their stocks to manage a hectic international schedule.
"The England Performance Squad is designed to allow the selectors to monitor the development of international players and better prepare them for the demands of the international game," Geoff Miller, the national selector said. "We can name 30 players in the squad but as we did last season have decided to keep three places vacant at this stage and will reserve the right to add additional players to the squad if merited by individual performances during the course of the season.
"Jade Dernbach is a player whose progress we have been monitoring closely for some time and he has continued to impress the selectors over the winter with his performances for England Lions and the England Performance Programme. " Apart from Kieswetter, who was forced to miss the Twenty20 internationals in Australia due to injury, and Onions all the players in the programme have featured in a main England squad during the winter. The next batch of central contracts will be confirmed in May ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka.
Performance Programme Andrew Strauss,* James Anderson* Ian Bell*, Ravi Bopara+ Tim Bresnan+, Stuart Broad* Paul Collingwood *, Alastair Cook *, Steven Davies, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn* Craig Kieswetter, Eoin Morgan+Graham Onions, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen* Liam Plunkett, Matt Prior *, Adil Rashid, Ajmal Shahzad, Graeme Swann* James Tredwell, Chris Tremlett+, Jonathon Trott* Chris Woakes, Luke Wright+, Michael Yardy+.
* denotes 11 players on 12-month ECB central contracts
+ denotes seven players on ECB increment contracts
Michael Yardy, who left the World Cup early due to depression, is among the squad as are wicketkeepers Craig Kieswetter and Steve Davies who will put pressure on Matt Prior for the one-day spot. The main purpose of the squad is to allow Andy Flower, the England team director, to manage the workload of key players during the summer.
Dernbach was called up to the World Cup after Yardy's departure but didn't get the chance to debut as England crashed to a 10-wicket defeat in the quarter-finals. However, he has been identified as another pace-bowling option as England look to bolster their stocks to manage a hectic international schedule.
"The England Performance Squad is designed to allow the selectors to monitor the development of international players and better prepare them for the demands of the international game," Geoff Miller, the national selector said. "We can name 30 players in the squad but as we did last season have decided to keep three places vacant at this stage and will reserve the right to add additional players to the squad if merited by individual performances during the course of the season.
"Jade Dernbach is a player whose progress we have been monitoring closely for some time and he has continued to impress the selectors over the winter with his performances for England Lions and the England Performance Programme. " Apart from Kieswetter, who was forced to miss the Twenty20 internationals in Australia due to injury, and Onions all the players in the programme have featured in a main England squad during the winter. The next batch of central contracts will be confirmed in May ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka.
Performance Programme Andrew Strauss,* James Anderson* Ian Bell*, Ravi Bopara+ Tim Bresnan+, Stuart Broad* Paul Collingwood *, Alastair Cook *, Steven Davies, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn* Craig Kieswetter, Eoin Morgan+Graham Onions, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen* Liam Plunkett, Matt Prior *, Adil Rashid, Ajmal Shahzad, Graeme Swann* James Tredwell, Chris Tremlett+, Jonathon Trott* Chris Woakes, Luke Wright+, Michael Yardy+.
* denotes 11 players on 12-month ECB central contracts
+ denotes seven players on ECB increment contracts
New Zealand-Bangladesh Tests postponed to 2012
New Zealand have, in consultation with the Bangladesh Cricket Board, postponed their two-Test tour of Bangladesh scheduled for May-June this year to 2012, citing extremely hot and humid weather.
The Test series had initially been planned for late 2010 and was meant to be part of a tour also comprising three ODIs. But, in preparation for the World Cup, the teams agreed to play five ODIs (which New Zealand lost 0-4) and push the Tests to May-June this year. Now, those Tests have again been rescheduled.
"We welcome the decision and believe it is a sensible outcome," Justin Vaughan, the CEO of New Zealand Cricket, said after the BCB had accept the request for postponement. "Bangladesh is extremely hot and humid in May and June with cricket rarely played during that time of year.
"The option to postpone until 2012, where the cricket calendar is less cluttered, also gives our top players the option to freshen up after a long and intensive period of cricket."
The Test series had initially been planned for late 2010 and was meant to be part of a tour also comprising three ODIs. But, in preparation for the World Cup, the teams agreed to play five ODIs (which New Zealand lost 0-4) and push the Tests to May-June this year. Now, those Tests have again been rescheduled.
"We welcome the decision and believe it is a sensible outcome," Justin Vaughan, the CEO of New Zealand Cricket, said after the BCB had accept the request for postponement. "Bangladesh is extremely hot and humid in May and June with cricket rarely played during that time of year.
"The option to postpone until 2012, where the cricket calendar is less cluttered, also gives our top players the option to freshen up after a long and intensive period of cricket."
End of the Express
A shadow of the tearaway who once terrified batsmen, as well as cricket administrators worldwide, Shoaib Akhtar's career ended meekly, denied the headline farewell he cherished.
The 35-year-old, out of form and out of shape, was deemed surplus to requirements after being clobbered for 70 in nine overs against New Zealand at the World Cup.
That mauling prompted him to announce he'd retire after the tournament, but one last shot at India in the semifinals beckoned if only skipper Shahid Afridi and coach Waqar Younis could be tempted to take the gamble.
They resisted and their caution was rewarded when Wahab Riaz, Shoaib's junior by 10 years, took a career-best five wickets to keep Pakistan in the game.
"We wanted Shoaib Akhtar to play but he was struggling," Afridi explained after Wednesday's 29-run defeat to their arch-rivals.
"We could not play someone who is at 50 percent or 60 percent of peak fitness. Riaz played in his place and you have seen his performance."
Shoaib had already admitted that time had caught up with him, opting to jump before he was pushed in an emotional retirement speech earlier in the tournament in Sri Lanka.
"Mentally I wanted to go on forever but I have decided to make way for the youngsters," he said.
"I have no regrets. I made lots of friends but some people have misunderstood me. It was an honour to have played with Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. I never imagined I would play for Pakistan. It was my greatest moment."
Shoaib, who made his international debut in 1997, took 178 wickets in 46 Tests, the last of which was against India at Bangalore in 2007.
He ended his career three wickets short of 250 in 163 one-day internationals and took 19 wickets in 15 Twenty20 internationals.
Shoaib, known as the Rawalpindi Express during his tearaway days as one of Test cricket's most feared if unpredictable talents, once cracked the 100mph barrier at the 2003 World Cup.
His career will always be remembered for a series of fitness problems and discipline violations that put the brakes on achieving his true potential.
True to his volatile nature, he was fined $2,000 for breaching discipline after the defeat to New Zealand following an on-field spat.
The 35-year-old, out of form and out of shape, was deemed surplus to requirements after being clobbered for 70 in nine overs against New Zealand at the World Cup.
That mauling prompted him to announce he'd retire after the tournament, but one last shot at India in the semifinals beckoned if only skipper Shahid Afridi and coach Waqar Younis could be tempted to take the gamble.
They resisted and their caution was rewarded when Wahab Riaz, Shoaib's junior by 10 years, took a career-best five wickets to keep Pakistan in the game.
"We wanted Shoaib Akhtar to play but he was struggling," Afridi explained after Wednesday's 29-run defeat to their arch-rivals.
"We could not play someone who is at 50 percent or 60 percent of peak fitness. Riaz played in his place and you have seen his performance."
Shoaib had already admitted that time had caught up with him, opting to jump before he was pushed in an emotional retirement speech earlier in the tournament in Sri Lanka.
"Mentally I wanted to go on forever but I have decided to make way for the youngsters," he said.
"I have no regrets. I made lots of friends but some people have misunderstood me. It was an honour to have played with Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. I never imagined I would play for Pakistan. It was my greatest moment."
Shoaib, who made his international debut in 1997, took 178 wickets in 46 Tests, the last of which was against India at Bangalore in 2007.
He ended his career three wickets short of 250 in 163 one-day internationals and took 19 wickets in 15 Twenty20 internationals.
Shoaib, known as the Rawalpindi Express during his tearaway days as one of Test cricket's most feared if unpredictable talents, once cracked the 100mph barrier at the 2003 World Cup.
His career will always be remembered for a series of fitness problems and discipline violations that put the brakes on achieving his true potential.
True to his volatile nature, he was fined $2,000 for breaching discipline after the defeat to New Zealand following an on-field spat.
'Don't judge Dhoni on final'
Kapil Dev, the only man to captain an Indian World Cup winning side, said Thursday that Mahendra Singh Dhoni's reputation as skipper should not depend on the result of Saturday's final against Sri Lanka.
Dhoni, having steered India past Pakistan in the semi-finals, is expected to complete the job with victory in Mumbai on Saturday to give the home side a second title to add to Kapil's 1983 breakthrough.
"I will never doubt Dhoni's credentials as a captain irrespective of the result of World Cup final," said Kapil.
"Lots of people believe that it's the ultimate result which will count but I believe otherwise.
"Look at Ricky Ponting. He has won two World Cups and after one bad World up he is out. That's not the way to judge a captain. So I would like that Dhoni not be judged by a win or loss. Instead, let's all wish him the very best."
Dhoni, having steered India past Pakistan in the semi-finals, is expected to complete the job with victory in Mumbai on Saturday to give the home side a second title to add to Kapil's 1983 breakthrough.
"I will never doubt Dhoni's credentials as a captain irrespective of the result of World Cup final," said Kapil.
"Lots of people believe that it's the ultimate result which will count but I believe otherwise.
"Look at Ricky Ponting. He has won two World Cups and after one bad World up he is out. That's not the way to judge a captain. So I would like that Dhoni not be judged by a win or loss. Instead, let's all wish him the very best."
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