Too early to compare Virat Kohli with MS Dhoni : Kapil Dev

As Virat Kohli gets ready to lead Team India out for the four-Test series against South Africa starting in Mohali from Thursday, comparisons are being drawn between the star batsman and his predecessor M.S. Dhoni on their leadership qualities.

However, former India captain Kapil Dev on Tuesday snubbed the comparison, saying it was too early.“Baap baap hota hai aur beta beta hota,” was Kapil’s reply when asked who the better captain was between the two.

“It is not fair or the right time to compare the duo. Dhoni has been the father figure of Indian cricket for a while now while Virat has a long way to go. Virat has the age and he is doing well. He has a great career ahead and eventually one day, he will gain the stature of Dhoni,” Kapil said on the sidelines of the launch of Wonder Cement Saath: 7 Cricket Mahotsav here on Tuesday.

Kapil was hopeful that Virat would handle the responsibility well against the Proteas, besides putting runs to the scoreboard.

The World Cup winner also joined the bandwagon in support of Team India director Ravi Shastri in the Wankhede pitch controversy.

Shastri was allegedly involved in an argument with Mumbai Cricket Association curator Sudhir Naik over the flat wicket during India’s fifth and deciding ODI against SA at the Wankhede.

India eventually lost the tie and the series 3-2 following their T20 defeat. The controversy grew recently after the BCCI formed a panel to look into the matter.

“I completely support Ravi. The home team should always play to their comfort and conditions that suit them. The series was tied at 2-2, we should have had a pitch that suited our bowlers. Whenever we travel to South Africa we play on fast and bouncy tracks,” Kapil reasoned.

The former all-rounder concluded saying former star batsman Virender Sehwag deserved a farewell game but it was the selectors’ call whether to give him a game.

“If you ask me, it doesn’t matter whether Sehwag played one more game for India. He still remains a great player. Azaruddin had 99 Test to his name and wanted one more. But it never happened. “Sehwag would not become any greater or lesser player by playing that one game,” he added.