Sachin Tendulkar did not achieve his full potential because of wrong company, says Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev, India’s 1983 World Cup-winning captain, has asserted that Sachin Tendulkar never could realise his full potential as a batsman because he had been bogged down by the Bombay school of cricket, according to Khaleej Times.
“Don't get me wrong, but I think Sachin didn't do justice to his talent. I always thought he could have done much more than what he did," Kapil was quoted as saying.
"He (Sachin) got stuck with Bombay cricket. He didn't apply himself to the ruthless international cricket. I think he should have spent more time with Vivian Richards than some of the Bombay guys who played just neat and straight cricket.”
Despite amassing records and runs in plenty, Sachin never adopted the chevalier approach to batting that people like Viv Richards, Virender Sehwag, or even Kapil Dev himself had. According to the 56-year-old legend, had Sachin enjoyed himself more while batting, he would have had even more success.
Sachin should have played like Sehwag: Kapil
At an event where Kapil was appearing alongside Shane Warne, Ian Botham and Wasim Akram, the discussion turned to Sachin, and the legends were asked their opinion on him.
While Shane Warne said that Sachin was the best batsman he had bowled to, Wasim agreed that the most joy he felt as a bowler was when he could get Sachin or Brian Lara out.
Sachin’s countryman, however, appeared to criticise Sachin’s style of batting – insinuating that his approach had been to score individual hundreds but never to embrace the more ruthless brand of cricket which could get convincing victories.
"Sachin was a much better cricketer but somewhere along the line he just knew how to score hundreds. He didn't know how to make it a double hundred, or a triple or even 400s," added the 1983 World Cup winning India captain.
"He (Sachin) had the ability. He was technically sound but I felt he was there to get his hundred and that's it. Unlike Richards, Sachin wasn't ruthless, he was more of a perfect, or rather correct cricketer. Had I spent more time with him I would have told him 'go enjoy yourself, play like Virender Sehwag'. You will be a much better cricketer."