Take rest if you don't want to play: Kapil

MUMBAI: Coming out in support of the Indian cricket board on the player burnout issue, all-rounder Kapil Dev said those who thought they were playing too much cricket should take a break.

 

"Cricketers are professionals and Indian cricketers are the only 100 per cent professional sportsmen in the country. They should take a break if they feel they are playing too much cricket," the former India captain said here on Tuesday.

 

"Don't want to play, then don't play," was the 1983 World Cup winning captain's mantra on the raging debate.

 

Kapil was here to unveil medals to be awarded to the top three in the two-day Rajiv Gandhi Mini Olympics, to be held for city sportsmen and women, over two days -- along with hockey great Dhanraj Pillay and football international Godfrey Pereira.
    
Kapil felt the Indian team was very well balanced and was well poised to erase the 35-year Test series victory drought in the West Indies and come out with flying colours.
    
"The Indian team is very well balanced and is doing very well. I expect them not only to win the series in the West Indies but to win it convincingly too. A victory overseas is always beautiful," he said.
    
The erstwhile great all-rounder also said India needed Sachin Tendulkar, recuperating from a shoulder surgery, to come out, firing all cylinders in the Test series in the Caribbean.

 

"We all want him to do very well at this time when he's struggling (with injuries). I want him to play and do very well in the West Indies," Kapil said.