183 was achievable target: Vivian Richards

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: The legendary West Indian cricketer Vivian Richards was in the city in connection with the event of American University of Antigua College of Medicine of which he is the Brand Ambassador. In a brief interaction with this correspondent, he spoke on different aspects of cricket. Here is the excerpt.

TS:Kapil Dev took a great catch to return you during the 1983 final. Was it the turning point of the game?

Yes it was a good catch. Kapil motivated the team nicely in the competition. I feel 183 was achievable target for us and we were might be little bit relaxed also. India put pressure early on us and we couldn’t come out from it.

TS: Many felt 1983 World cup is also the turning point of Indian cricket…

Actually India already became a formidable outfit before the World Cup. They had good batsmen like Sunny Gavaskar, ‘Jimmy’ Amarnath, Viswanath… and bowlers in the form of Kapil Dev. Sandhu, Madan Lal…..Kapil was successful to inject his fighting skill to the team nicely.

TS: What is the reason of decline of the West Indies team in last decade?

There are many reasons that were responsible for it. But I hope we would reach the top again.

TS: England will host next World Cup in 2019. Who are the favourites?

I feel there are three to four teams who have equal chances to win the title. Among them England, the host, has a very good prospect. India, Australia and Pakistan are also the teams to watch.

TS: Generally you were the night mare of all the bowlers. Was there any one against whom you felt uncomforting?

Indian spinners Bedi, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, Erapalli Prasanna and Srinivas Venkatraghavan- all are great spinners and I was not very much comfort against them during my first tour to India .

TS: In recent past India made good progress on developing pace attack. Your comment.

Yes. Things have changed over the years with a new set of pacers bringing aggression in the team. You have (Ishant) Sharma, (Mohammad) Shami, (Jasprit) Bumrah…in the team and they are doing very well. Good to see that India has understood the need.

TS: Verbal duel in ongoing India and Australia series is already made a big issue. Can sledging bring the best from a player?

Yes. I belief it can bring the best out of you. Just see your captain Kohli. I don’t see anything wrong in doing sledging. But it shouldn’t be too personal.

Also read: Local Sports