My comments on Sachin were misinterpreted, says Kapil Dev

“He had the calibre to be as ruthless, or more, but did not deliver as much as I had expected. He got 100 international 100s but his potential was greater,” he was quoted by The Hindu on Monday. “How else could I have described him? He was an underachiever and that I maintain was a compliment. He could have done better. Am I wrong?”

The all-rounder, who retired from Test cricket in 1994, was a senior member of the Indian team when Tendulkar made his Test debut in 1989.

Speaking about a domestic game that he played against Tendulkar, the World Cup winning captain recalled, “He was just about making waves and I was up against him. He drilled me over mid-off for a six. I was stunned. He hit me as if I was an off-spinner and I marvelled at his talent.

“Sachin was clearly ahead of his time but he did not grow as I wanted him to grow. I loved the Sachin of Sharjah 1998 when he clubbed the Australians. His dominance was complete and stroke-play so imperious. He made good bowlers look ordinary, could hit boundaries at will but that Sachin was lost somewhere as his career progressed.”

He also said he always held the Mumbai School of Cricket in high regard.

“I would be silly if I doubted their calibre. Has Bombay not won 40 Ranji Trophy titles and 15 in a row? What an awesome record! Players from outside Bombay learnt to be professional from them.”