Wright should have said it then and there: Kapil

Chandigarh, August 16 (UNI) ''Who is John Wight?'' Cricket icon and former India captain Kapil Dev Nikhanj exclaimed disdainfully when he was asked to express his views on the John Wright and Virender Sehwag episode in the Indian dressing room during the Natwest Trophy in England in 2002.

Wright, who was the then coach of the Indian team, in his recently published booked, Indian Summers, had said that he had grabbed Virender Sehwag by his collar after the latter got out due to a reckless shot.

''It does not make any sense to me by writing such an incident in his book after three years of its occurrence. John Wright should have said this then and there. What value it had after three years of its happening? I do not appreciate it and I do not intend to read such a book,'' said Kapil Dev Nikhanj, on his visit to Desh Prem Azad Academy here.

Replying to another question on the security issue of the Indian players now in Sri Lanka, Kapil Dev said, ''This question should have been addressed by the authorities (Board of Control for Cricket in India). The Indian cricketers are ambassadors of the country. The authorities know it well what is wrong and what is right.'' Asked his advice what the Indian players should do in Lanka to emerge champions, Kapil Dev, said, ''The players should focus like a team and every body has to put in his best performance.'' Asked whether all-rounder Ajit Agarkar should have been included in the Indian team for the Lanka tour on the basis of his recent performance, Kapil Dev said, ''It is the job of the selectors who closely follow the players. What we know is just five per cent. No judgement should be passed.'' Regarding a question on Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil said, ''What happened to him. He is a great player and he should come back into the team.'' The former Indian captain termed the twenty-20 slam-bang version of cricket as ''corporate and entertainment.'' ''However, the real cricket it Test matches. We should look positively. Something good may come out of this version later,'' he added.

About the facilities in the Northern region, especially in Chandigarh, Kapil Dev said, ''If I was not born in Chandigarh I would have not got the opportunity to play for India. I had spent half of my life at the Sector 16 Stadium and the facilities available here are hoof. The environment at the St Stephen's School is excellent,'' said Kapil.

Later, Kapil interacted with the trainees of the Azad Academy.

the trainees did not hesitate to put questions to the legendary cricketer who replied in a smooth action. Earlier, Kapil had a round of golf with his friend and former Haryana Ranji player Rakesh Jolly at the Chandigarh Golf Club.

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