‘Be a captain like Kapil Dev’ – Balwinder Singh Sandhu’s advice for Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma

Former Indian cricketer Balwinder Singh Sandhu advised Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to follow the footsteps of the legendary Kapil Dev. Back in 1983, Dev changed the face of Indian cricket after guiding the team to glory in the World Cup. Under Dev’s leadership, India defeated the mighty West Indies, the then two-time world champions, defying every possible odd.

Apart from picking up 12 wickets, he was also the leading run-scorer for India in the tournament to go with a top score of 175. Sandhu, who picked up eight wickets from as many games in the mega event, asked Rohit and Kohli to take a leaf out of Kapil Dev’s cricketing manuals. He also said that the Men in Blue have the potential to win both the World Cups in the next two years.

Controversies are part and parcel of sportsmen, says Balwinder Singh Sandhu

“Bat like Kapil. Field like Kapil. Be a captain like Kapil (Kapil jaisi captaani karey) aur agle saal jo T20 ka World Cup woh bhi haasil kar paenge aur 2023 mein jo 50 overs ka World Cup India mein hai woh bhi hasil kar paenge (then we can win the T20 World Cup next year and 50-over World Cup in 2023 as well),” Sandhu was quoted as saying on Zee News.

During the premiere of ‘83’, Kapil Dev, who was also present along with Sandhu, was asked about the controversies and stress a cricketer goes through. Responding to the same, the veteran said that due to the absence of social media back then, it was easy to avoid the commotion.

“We did not have social media in those days like we have in today’s time. Controversies are part and parcel of sportsmen. What one does is play his game and keep moving forward. But there are people who make stories and story makers are important.

“We write our stories and move ahead what comes thereafter, like the way my entire team is narrating a story that is very important because those are your memories that is being projected onscreen,” Kapil added.

In 83, actor Ranveer Singh has portrayed the role of the legendary Indian skipper. Punjabi actor, Ammy Virk, in the meantime, has played the character of Sandhu in the most-awaited movie.