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Rediff.com  » Cricket » 'Kohli will make more records and can be better than Tendulkar'
This article was first published 10 years ago

'Kohli will make more records and can be better than Tendulkar'

March 26, 2014 11:56 IST

Image: Virat Kohli
Photographs: BCCI

Former captain Kapil Dev has said that Indian batting's mainstay Virat Kohli will rewrite more records than anyone else in world cricket and believed
the Delhi batsman has realistic chances of "bettering" even Sachin Tendulkar's career graph if he remains injury-free.

"Without any doubt Kohli will make more records than anybody else. I don't compare, there cannot be a second Don Bradman, and there cannot be another Sachin Tendulkar.

"But  yes, Kohli has got amazing talent, it's huge for a 24-year-old, and maybe, he can be better than Tendulkar. The next generation has to be better than the previous one," Kapil said in Kuala Lumpur. 

Kapil, 55, is in the Malaysian capital as one of the ambassadors for the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards. 

'Kohli has so far shown that he has more ability than anybody else'

Image: Virat Kohli
Photographs: BCCI

Talking about Kohli, he further said, "Virat Kohli has so far shown that he has more ability and talent than anybody else and if he can play till 32 or 34 with same fitness and without injuries, he will come to a point where not even Vivian Richards neither Sachin Tendulkar had such a record." 

Kapil said a team can't expect one individual to carry on the responsibilities on his shoulders forever. 

"I don't look at it that way because he has done his job, you don't expect Don Bradman to play for 100 years or Sachin Tendulkar to carry on forever.

"For 24 years he has served his country so well, he did everything what a cricketer should do but you have to move on in life and sooner the team realise that it's good for the team. If you start talking about him all the time team is not going to be settled."

'I am very happy that cricket has gone back to Gulf'

Image: Kapil Dev

According to the 1983 World Cup-winning captain, taking the IPL to UAE could help the Gulf nation in getting rid of the fixing tag.

"If we can promote the game in different parts of the world there is nothing wrong in it. With the IPL, I hope the tag that the UAE has it should be removed. I think the people there love the game. I am very happy that cricket has gone back to Gulf. Let's hope it brings a better name." 

As far as this summer's tour of England was concerned, he said it will be a test of character for the team. 

"I think this is the first ever we will be playing five Test matches in England. In the last 30-40 years we have only played three or four Tests in a series, this is the first time we are playing a full series against England. It will be a test of nerves and ability."