Kapil's message to youngsters: Stand up and deliver

London, July 17 (UNI) As curtain is slowly and steadily coming down on the careers of India's experienced batting trio, legendary Kapil Dev has called on the young bloods in the team to stand up and be counted during the upcoming England series.

Though master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, former skipper Sourav Ganguly and dependable Rahul Dravid, who are on the final phase of their illustrious career, will provide reassuring experience to the batting line-up in the bowlers friendly England pitches, Kapil wants to see the the likes of newly-appointed vice-captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and charismatic Yuvraj Singh taking up increased responsibility.

''Players like Dhoni and Yuvraj have to start pulling their buckle and say: 'OK we must take this responsibility now','' Kapil said, adding, ''They are the future of Indian cricket and the size of their task is considerable.'' ''As long as Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid are there, they should be the anchor, the platform to ensure that nothing should go wrong. But I think the younger boys have to take a lead and start to win games.'' He also expressed his concern over the delay in finding a replacement of former Team India coach Greg Chappell, who resigned from the 'pot-boiler' job following a disastrous World Cup campaign.

''India are going through a rough period and they need to get their heads together and sort things out,'' Kapil told 'The Daily Telegraph'.

''But the issue of who will coach the side has dragged on too long.'' Stating India's current tour as one of the tougest assignments, the 1983 World Cup Winning captain said, ''England is always a tough tour and this series will be a real test for India after the World Cup.'' However, 'The Haryana Hurricane' believes that the Indian pace attack, lacks experience, except Zaheer Khan which is detrimental factor for India.

''Zaheer is very important for India in this series because of his experience in county cricket. He knows more about English pitches and English conditions than any of the other seamers. If he can take responsibility it will be lovely,'' Kapil said.

Commenting on his future plans to promote the game in the country through the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) promoted bu Essel Group, the ICL chairman said, ''The problem at the moment is that leading Indian players don't play enough domestic cricket because of the international schedule.'' ''Cricket is now a global game and if we can get some of the best players in the world to come to India and play alongside some of our best young players then the youngsters will learn a lot,'' he concluded.

UNI