Doha: “Pakistan players are great guys and fun loving off the field, and many of them are my good friends”, confessed Kiran More, the former India stumper to the press at the Radisson Blu Hotel-Doha.
Kiran Shankar More the India stumper from 84 to 1993 and former Chairman of the Selection Committee of the BCCI till Dilip Vengsarkar took over the job in 2006 was in Doha for the conclusion of the 6th Karnataka Cricket Cup organized by the Karnataka Sangha Qatar. He spoke to the media and to Newskarnataka.com in particular on a range of issues here on April 23rd.
Here are some excerpts
Q: Do you think it’s too much of a burden for a wicketkeeper to combine the duties of captaincy?
A: A wicket Keeper always plays a role of a captain, as he has the best vantage point to understand the vagaries of the pitch, the suitability of the bowlder at a particular time, and the batsman’s comfort level. Even if not the captain, the captain usually takes the feedback on these matters from the wicket keeper. But, I’ve always felt that a wicket keeper is best as a vice captain rather than captain.
Q: What about the incident with Javed Miandad in the World Cup?
A: It was a pressure game and we were doing very well. We had scored 200 plus runs. An India-Pakistan game is always competitive. He tried to imitate me and there were a few verbal exchanges. I also gave him back in the same coin. It’s always a tough game. Because of TV I think it looks big and became at a talking point worldwide. I thought he was very close to being caught down the leg side off Sachin’s bowling. That’s when I appealed and he did not like it but if you see the action replay of the catch, I think he was out caught behind. But I rate him one of the best batsmen I’ve ever come across. He plays for his team 110%, that’s how you have to play for your country, and I also give 110% for my country. I’ve got very high regard for him. After play ended that day, we returned to being friends and even went out for dinner! He’s quite a friendly person and I have nothing against him at all.
Q: What do you feel about the current crop of Indian bowlers?
A: currently we have a good number of fast bowlers, but we are missing good spinners like Anil Kumble and Harbajan. In my view we require bench strength of at least 10 fast bowlers and 5 spin bowlers to be consistent at the international level.
Q: Who is the right person to replace Dhoni in Test cricket team as a wicket Keeper?
A: Dinesh Karthik, Parthiv Patel, Sanju Samson – these are young wicket keepers who have done well at the domestic level. Dhoni’s vacancy will be an incentive for these guys to perform better. Ultimately, Its upto the selectors, to decide on the replacement. It’s very important that the wicket keeper also a good batsman. Dinesh Karthik, and Parthiv Patel have both scored in test cricket. Whoever does well this season will be get the nod.
Q: Who in your opinion is the best wicket keeper in the world currently?
A: I feel Dhoni has done very well in all forms of cricket. As a wicket keeper, he has more than 500 stumpings to his credit and his technique behind the stumps is wonderful. Statistics say that Adam Gilchrist is quality wicket keeper. I’ve seen Dhoni throughout his amazing journey, from close quarters, and am witness to his unbelievable record. I believe that, both as a captain and wicket keeper Dhoni is the number one.
Q: How advantageous is it for the team if the wicket keeper is also the captain?
A: A Wicket keeper is always a good captain. But I believe a wicket keeper is always a great vice captain. But Dhoni proved this belief wrong the way he combined his skills of wicket keeping, batsman ship and captaincy. It’s always a very tough job, because, as a wicket keeper you have to consider and readjust your strategy and field after every ball, even as you concentrate on the wicket keeping. You’ve have to be continuously alert and alive.
Q: Whom would you like to credit for your success as a cricketer?
A: Certainly, I would like to give credit to my family. My family has always been my backbone and greatest supporter. In fact it was my elder brother who was a good cricketer who inspired me a lot.
