Kapil Dev: I wish Sachin to complete 30 years

Kapil Dev a legendary Indian all-rounder and former teammate of Sachin Tendulkar, on Sunday said that the Little Maestro is in good form and wished to see him complete 30 years in international cricket.

Tendulkar, 39, made his Test debut aged 16 years and 205 days to become the youngest Indian player to appear in a Test match, breaking Laxman Sivaramakrishnan’s record, who had made his Test debut at the age of 17 years and 118 days.

The legendary Maharashtra batsman completed 23 successful years in international cricket last Thursday, November 15, 2012. The greatness of Tendulkar can be ascertained by the number of international players from around the world (874) who have gone on to make their Test debuts since the Indian batting icon played his first match against arch-rivals Pakistan in Karachi, on November 15, 1989.

The players who joined and then left the international arena over the last 23 years included greats from Brian Lara to Paul Collingwood, and from Sourav Ganguly to Rahul Dravid.

"It is great that he (Sachin) has completed 23 years in international cricket. I wish him to complete 30 years. He is playing good," said the 1983 World Cup-winning captain of India in reply to a query on Tendulkar's role in the Indian team.

Asked if conferring the Bharat Ratna and other such prestigious awards to cricketers and other sportspersons was justified, the Haryana Hurricane, who was in Guwahati for an interaction with students, parents and faculty members of Royal Global School said, "Policy makers should be asked this question."

"However, if any sportsperson is granted such honours we will all definitely feel proud. All of us felt proud when Sachin was nominated to Rajya Sabha," he added further.

Sachin Tendulkar has to date played 190 Tests and 463 ODIs and is the leading run getter in both the formats of the game.

The former Indian all-rounder had earlier objected International Cricket Council’s day and night Test cricket formula. However, he refused to give a direct answer when asked the same question yesterday.

"When the time comes for the Board (BCCI) to decide on the matter, then we can say something," said Kapil, who played 131 Tests and 225 One Day Internationals for India between 1978 and 1994.