For yesteryear's swashbuckling batsman Ajay Jadeja, India's former captain Kapil Dev is Devon ke Dev while Pakistan's former pacer Wasim Akram is his most favourite and dangerous bowler.
Jadeja was speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival.
He said that he was lucky to have shared dressing room with India's greatest all rounder Kapil Dev.
“For cricket lovers Kapil Dev was just Kapil Dev. But for us he was a Devon ke Dev,” Jadeja said.
He said that Kapil Dev not only played excellent innings for Indian team but also put team in posting of strength.
“I am lucky to have played with such a player. Player like Kapil Dev was never there, neither there is any, nor will be there,” Jadeja said.
Ajay Jadeja remembered when Indian team has gone on a tour to South Africa where Kapil Dev got injured in a practice match and he had to get 12 stitches above his eyes.
“In such condition, no player gets on to the ground. But Kapil Dev went on to the ground with 12 stitches and played for the country,” Jadeja reminisced.
Sultan of Swing Akram Ajay Jadeja's favourite bowler
Ajay Jadeja said that Pakistan's former pacer and captain Wasim Akram was favourite and most deadly bowler.
“No bower could bowl like him. His reverse swing, line-length and pace was unmatched.
Ajay Jadeja said a lot of change has creeped in today's cricket. Earlier when Indian team would go for foreign tour, no special strategy was made for acclimatisation.
“We used to go to just have an expertise and opportunity to play for the country with great cricketers like Kapil Dev.
Ajay Jadeja was a regular member of the Indian cricket team in the one day international (ODI) format between 1992 and 2000. He played 15 test matches and 196 ODIs for India. He also occasionally captained the India national cricket team.
Currently, Ajay Jadeja is working with the Afghanistan cricket team as the team mentor.
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