You cannot compare one generation of players with another: Former India captain Kapil Dev
"I think the selectors would have thought about it. So, if I say something it would be criticising them. I don't want to criticise them," said Kapil.
Team India selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, is facing a whole lot of criticism after the squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series was announced. Particularly, the exclusion of star batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has left a set of fans fuming, whereas, experts have also opined against the decision of the committee.
This came especially after the poor run of form the Indians have been going through. In 2024, they were whitewashed by New Zealand at home in a three-Test series, breaking their 12-year-long unbeaten streak. This was followed by a humiliating loss during the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 where they lost 3-1 to Australia, Down Under.
Meanwhile, former India captain Kapil Dev was questioned on the selectors' approach for the England series. The legendary cricketer was also asked about the ignorant nature of Agarkar & Co. towards the southpaws considering the all-important Champions Trophy 2025 being just around the corner. To this, Dev responded that he is not qualified enough to comment on the judgment of selectors, and cannot get into their heads to know their thought process behind the call to exclude the aforementioned.
“How can I comment on the judgment of others? I think the selectors would have thought about it. So, if I say something it would be criticising them. I don't want to criticise them. They are a group of people who must have planned and thought about that," he replied during an event hosted by the Professional Golf Tour of India of which he is the president.
Please don't compare me and Bumrah, says Kapil Dev
A set of people had also brought up comparisons
There was also a comparison being made between Kapil Dev and Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah emerged as the player of the series despite India facing defeat, taking 32 wickets in the five games. He bowled over 150 overs in the series and failed to bowl a lot more as he faced back spasms towards the end of the fifth Test match. While in the 1991/92 Test series, Kapil had bowled 300 overs. However, Kapil has said it is not fair to compare both generations.
“Please don't compare. You cannot compare one generation with another. That is not required. Today, players are scoring 300 runs in a day. It didn't happen during our time. So don't compare the two," the former cricketer iterated.
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