'Rohit Sharma is talented and hardworking but needs a better head'

Former captain Kapil Dev has said Team India's opening batsman needs a better head while out-of-favour batsman Virender Sehwag needs to be back among runs.

Talking about India's current opening pair in limited overs cricket, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, Kapil said, "They are talented and hardworking but everything depends on good performance and if they can do well in England we can be proud about that.

"Rohit Sharma needs a better head, he is talented and he excites me, and so does Ravindra Jadeja and the fast bowlers."

Asked what role the ICC can play in making this a reality, he said, "I think the ICC has to spend a lot of money, you will have to promote it the way football and rugby promoted their games. Cricket has to go to China, Europe, UAE and Africa. If Europe and America take this game, it will change forever."

He said T20 will be crucial to how the sport grows globally in the years to come. 

"Promoting T20 is the ideal thing. Promoting Test cricket still needs a lot of countries to have that mindset, but T20 goes like a fire and every country can spend 4-5 hours. I hope in the next 10-15 years America and China take up this game." 

About Virender Sehwag, who is struggling to return to the Indian team due to his prolonged poor form, Kapil said, "He has to get runs. He has been the most attractive and entertaining cricketer in the last 20 years.

"I will go miles to watch him bat but he has to get runs to make a comeback. If he get runs it will be good for team." 

Asked if India fancy their chances with England not in the best of form in recent times, he said, "I am not sure, we haven't performed really well outside India or sub- continent, so there is a little doubt in my mind, but having said that we are much more compact now.

"Yes, I second that England is not playing well, so taking both things into consideration I can say I am confident."

Kapil is one of the three ambassadors from cricket in Laureus and when asked about the expansion of the sport globally, he said, "Try and understand cricket was played by Commonwealth countries only, now it has started in other countries as well and I am proud of that. 

"In another 10-15 years cricket will move around the world and more and more countries will be playing the game. Look at Afghanistan and the Netherlands.

"I, as a cricketer, would like to see 100 countries playing top-flight cricket, just like tennis and football. If I am alive to see that I will be very happy."