Raised in the tough BCCI’s domestic tournament circuit, former India opener and Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir said on Friday that there was nothing superior to first class cricket and young cricketers should not be judged on performances in the IPL.
“People in India consider IPL bigger than first class cricket, but I think first class cricket of any country should be far more important than IPL because in the Twenty20 format it is very difficult to judge a young batsman,” said Gambhir at the launch of Sansui’s futuristic Curve Ultra HD LED TV here.
A seasoned campaigner in domestic competition, Gambir said it was wrong to assess young players in the IPL. “I am a strong believer that one should not be judging a young talent on a Twenty20 format. It’s unfair because there are going to be times when there are not going to be enough opportunities for a young talent. I feel if you really want to see a young talent, you should see him in first class cricket and your first class cricket should be given more importance than the IPL.”
Great chanceGambir further said: “Obviously, IPL is a great opportunity and under this pressure you end up getting your temperament right. Your mental toughness can be tested in this tournament, but your actual technique can be tested only in first class cricket. Hence first class cricket should be given more importance than the IPL and that is where your actual talent will come from.”
KKR has to win the match against Rajasthan Royals to make the play-off knock out. Gambhir said: “Our destiny is in our hands tomorrow and we don’t need to look at any other team or any other results because if we win we make it to the play-offs. Hope we will win tomorrow and finish in the top two and so we have got everything to play for. We knew that the competition would be very tough because there are so many good teams. Till now we don’t know who will make it to the play-offs which is a good sign for the tournament.”
