BHOPAL, 8 August 2003 — Indian cricketing legend Kapil Dev joined former run machine Sunil Gavaskar in condemning sledging, saying matches should be won through performance and not through unfair means.
“You should win on the basis of talent and performance. If you resort to means like sledging to earn victory, I think that’s unfair,” Kapil said recently in Calcutta.
The skipper of the 1983 World Cup winning India side said that the game was virtually free of sledging when he and Gavaskar played cricket.
“The odd incident or two may have occurred, but largely the game was sledging-free. Older generation players like me and Gavaskar played the game in a healthier way, in tune with its lofty spirit,” Kapil said.
“I can understand Gavaskar’s sentiments when he expressed his dismay with sledging. It is difficult for our generation players to accept it. I wholeheartedly support Sunny,” Kapil said.
Referring to Australia, who are now being widely criticized for resorting to rampant sledging on the cricket field, Kapil said: “If they are such a talented side, why do they need to take recourse to sledging? Their performance should be enough.”
