Kapil plays global ambassador,expects close matches for good of game

Dubai, Mar 11 (UNI) Former India captain Kapil Dev says he expects close and engrossing matches rather than one-sided affairs in the Caribbean World Cup for the good of the game.

Kapil refused to name any favourite team to win the showpiece event, rather emphasising on the quality of matches so that spectators enjoy the excitement and fun.

''People should enjoy close matches between two teams rather than a one-sided affair that we had between India and the West Indies (in the warm-up match).

''I don't have a favourite. The emphasis should be on the games and not merely on who is going to win it,'' the legendary all-rounder said during a brief visit to Chevrolet InSportz here.

''But Australia are a bit strong among the favourites.

I love my country and would love to see India winning the World Cup,'' he added quickly.

''I would say the teams have an equal chance of winning the World Cup,'' said India's only World Cup-winning captain.

Kapil also played the part of global ambassador, saying he would love to see the game spread all over the world with the staging of the World Cup in the West Indies.

''As a sportsman, I would love to see cricket being played all over the world. In the end, cricket should triumph.'' He also praised the Indian selectors for picking the ''best available squad.'' ''I think this is the best team that India can have at this point of time. And it is far too late to talk about players who did not make it to the squad. Maybe these players should perform and start looking at the next World Cup,'' Kapil told Gulf News.

He added that India have the right balance between youth and experience with six or seven older players and another six or seven youngsters.

''So it'll be a lot of fun watching the youngsters prove themselves,'' said Kapil.

UNI