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Former cricketers hail Sachin's appointment

Former cricketers in Bombay and elsewhere have welcomed the appointment of Sachin Tendulkar as India's captain for the tour of Sri Lanka.

Former India skipper Dilip Vengsarkar, who has seen Tendulkar's progress from a very young age, said the selectors had done the right thing and Tendulkar was the obvious choice. "He is the best batsman in the team and will lead by example. Also, this time around, he is more experienced."

Polly Umrigar, who recently got the Colonel C K Nayudu award for his achievements in cricket, echoed Vengsarkar's views. "Sachin is the right choice. He has led the side before and therefore has the experience to do a good job. He has a sharp cricketing brain and is a good thinker. Azhar was not doing well and things were not going right. Therefore, I think Sachin is a good choice -- and the right choice," he said.

But Umrigar did not think Azharuddin has to go from the team altogether. "We require his experience. You cannot throw a player of his class out if he is fit," he said.

He also felt that Dravid would make a good vice-captain. "Dravid is a mature player and he is in good form. This is the right time to groom him," he said.

Former spinner Bapu Nadkarni also felt the selectors had done the right thing by appointing Tendulkar captain. It was expected, he said, adding, "Sachin deserved the captaincy... The choice is very good."

Another former spin great, E A S Prasanna, also welcomed Tendulkar's appointment as captain, saying he was the obvious choice.

Commenting in Bangalore on the selection, 'Pras' said it would not have been wise to have persisted with Azharuddin who had undergone shoulder surgery recently.

Earlier, he said, Tendulkar had been appointed out of turn as captain and many felt it had had a negative impact on his batting. But if the selectors had persisted with him even then, he would have blossomed into a fine captain, he said.

Tendulkar was the world's top cricketer last year and should last for at least another nine years barring physical fitness problems.

In Indore, former cricket board secretary A W Kanmadikar and former chairman of selectors Chandu Sarwate also welcomed Tendulkar's appointment.

The selectors did a very fine thing at an appropriate time, they said.

Kanmadikar said Tendulkar was the only player in the team suited for the leadership and his selection has provided an able captain for the next World Cup.

He added that Azharuddin should be dropped from the team as well.

Sarwate said the selectors had displayed far-sightedness in naming Tendulkar captain. "He is an experienced player," the former fast bowler said, "and will prove to be a successful and long-lasting captain."

Sarwate felt the captaincy would not now affect Tendulkar's batting.

The deposed captain, however, said in Bombay that he was not disappointed at being sacked. "Captaincy is not everything," he said.

Azharuddin wished his successor all the best, saying, "I am happy for Sachin." Earlier, he had openly said he had no qualms about playing under Tendulkar.

On his fitness, Azharuddin said he was confident of making it to the team for the triangular series in Sri Lanka in August. "I will be handing in my fitness certificate on August 4 to the Board of Control for Cricket in India. I am even ready to give a fitness test if required."

UNI

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