We shouldn't jump to conclusions: Shastri

By Our Sports Reporter

KOZHIKODE, APRIL 19. Former Indian allrounder Ravi Shastri feels no cricketer, not even Sir Donald Bradman, is bigger than the game. Speaking to newsmen at Hotel Taj Residency here on Tuesday, he said that the image of cricket had suffered a setback worldwide, following the match-fixing scandals.

``The game is bigger than all the great cricketers of the past, present or future. We have to bear this in mind when we talk about the issue of match-fixing. The South Africans have just proved that cricket is bigger than any cricketer by winning the one-day series against Australia,'' said Shastri, who has been here for the past one week, undergoing a rejuvenation programme at the Taj Ayurveda Centre where his wife was also undergoing treatment.

``We shouldn't jump to conclusions and should wait till the misdeeds are proved,'' he said. However, he refused to comment further about the betting-and-bribery scandal since he was bound by a contract to a sports publication.

Shastri, who many thought would have made a wonderful captain for India but led the country only once in a Test, said he was impressed by Sourav Ganguly. ``I think he has the potential to become a good captain.''

A good captain should be able to win the confidence of the newcomers in the side and also know how to deal with a genius like Sachin Tendulkar, Shastri felt. ``He should lead from the front, and I feel one should get the captaincy at a young age.'' Who he thought was the best captain in international cricket in recent times?

``Mark Taylor. I think Steve Waugh has learnt a lot from Taylor, and I feel Shane Warne would make a good captain. I was also impressed by Wasim Akram. Sunil Gavaskar was beyond doubt the best captain I played under. Kapil Dev also had his plus points, but he was more instinctive than strategic.''

Doesn't he have regrets that he couldn't lead India in more Tests?

``Not really, because I believe it was India's loss, not mine. But, yes, I would have relished the challenges of captaincy.''

Indian speedster Javagal Srinath's decision to retire from one- day cricket is a hasty one, in Shastri's opinion. ``I think he can still play one-day cricket.''

Shastri feels that the three Indian Test stars - Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble who are in England to play county cricket - might not benefit much. But didn't he himself play for Glamorgan in the county circuit in his heyday. He did pretty well at the Old Blighty and wasn't any the worse for the experience.

Shastri was, however, quick to defend. ``But at that time much less cricket was being played internationally, unlike today, when you don't get a break from the hectic schedule. Of the three, I think only Dravid will gain much. He will get to play many one- day games there, and that will do him good.''

Turners, why not?

Shastri said there was nothing wrong with the policy of playing India's home Tests on turning wickets. ``When you tour abroad, your rivals never do you a favour; they always play on tracks that suit them best. So why should we deny that advantage to our players? However, the Ranji Trophy matches should have some sporting wickets, because only then our batsmen will learn to play well overseas.''

Shastri, who has handled pace bowlers well on the fast tracks of the Caribbean and Australia, felt a good batsman should do well in all conditions, even though he may not have been exposed to such conditions at home.

It is a good move on the part of the BCCI to start a Cricket Academy, said Shastri. ``I'm glad they have at last woken up, just before the sunset.''

Were there any cricketers who disappointed him in spite of their talents?

``Yes, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and T.A. Sekar. Siva was easily the most talented Indian cricketer after Kapil Dev (apart from Tendulkar of course). He was somehow not able to translate his huge potential into performance. I feel Sekar was not given adequate opportunities. He was quicker than even Kapil Dev at his quickest.''

He said a talented player like V.V.S. Laxman should be taken care of. ``I think Laxman might do well in the one-day game at No. 3, and he could be accommodated anywhere from one to four in the longer version of the game. He is a fine talent.''

Shastri, who has evolved into one of the best commentators, says he is enjoying his role. ``But I never planned to become a commentator, though I was always fascinated by the cricket commentary on Radio on the BBC World Service and Radio Australia. When I go to England, I always make it a point to do the commentary on Radio Four there. Yes, it is very sad that both the BBC and Radio Australia are no longer carrying the cricket commentary to the listeners in South Asia.''

He said it was a privilege to team up with the likes of Tony Cozier in the commentary box. ``I've been listening to him since the age of six. I also admire Henry Blofeld, Ian Chappell, Michael Holding, Tony Greig, Richie Benaud and Geoff Boycott.''

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