‘Test paramount for game to survive globally’

India captain Virat Kohli on Wednesday said that for the game cricket to sustain globally, Test cricket needs to be the premier format.

"I believe Test cricket is paramount for the game to sustain globally. I would urge youngsters to take up longer version of the game," Kohli said during the first ever Annual Conclave of Delhi & Districts Cricket  Association.

It was an evening to remember where the legends of Delhi Cricket came together for the inauguration of stands named after Bishan Singh Bedi and Mohinder Amarnath.

It was a poignant moment when Kohli recollected his days as an U-14 and U-16 cricketer with Bedi as the coach.

"I remember when I played U14 and U16s for Delhi, Bedi sir would make us train too much. Now that's become a part of my life," Kohli fondly recollected in presence of Delhi legends and Sharmila Tagore, wife of former India captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi.

"It's a huge honour to stand with all Delhi captains. I myself have been a Delhi captain," said Kohli.

Bedi on his part said: "I may not agree with some of his gestures on field but I have not seen someone more intense than Virat on field. I have never seen an Indian more intense than Virat. He will mellow down for sure but how much I have learnt watching Virat is unreal."

The straight talking Bedi as usual was forthright in his assessment about how cricketers nowadays use Ranji Trophy or Duleep Trophy as platform for IPL contract.

"To play for India, figures in first class cricket come in handy. Ranji Trophy should be played for the sake of Ranji Trophy and Duleep for the sake of Duleep. I don't understand the name of these teams like Red, Blue and Green," Bedi said.

Amarnath, meanwhile, recollected glory days of Delhi cricket.

"It was Bishan whose leadership gave Delhi cricket the respect. He was not just a captain but a leader of men," Amarnath said.

vvs asks for coach development

Mumbai:  Lamenting the lack of recognition to formative coaches, former India batsman VVS Laxman on Wednesday said that the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) has urged the BCCI to shift its focus from infrastructure to developing a quality pool of coaches. "We never ever gave importance to Desh Prem Azad, who identified and nurtured Kapil Dev till he played for Haryana. After that once you play at the highest level or you play first class cricket, you become mature," Laxman, who is a part of three-member CAC that also includes Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, said.

Stressing that mentors are more important in a player's career than infrastructure, Laxman cited the example of Tendulkar's coach Ramakant Achrekar, saying that the iconic batsman was developed by his coach and not by Shivaji Park, the ground where he practised.

"I believe that more than infrastructure, a lot of importance should be given to develop quality coaches and that is something, which we have recommended to the BCCI also," the 43-year-old said while addressing the inaugural session of the CII -- Sports Summit 207 in suburban Andheri here.

Laxman said that he was fortunate that his maternal uncle identified talent in him when he was young.

"My uncle was my mentor. My maternal uncle identified the spark, talent in me and convinced my parents that I got a good chance of playing at the highest level. How many kids have access or an opportunity of having such a guide. I was very fortunate that I had wonderful coaches in the academy where I went to," Laxman, always remembered for his unbeaten 281 against Australia in Kolkata in 2001, said.

"All the players who you talk to, who have achieved excellence they will tell that there was a mentor or a coach, who was like an elder brother or a father. Sachin was not because of Shivaji Park (a ground in Dadar), Sachin was because of Achrekar Sir. I think the important message there is to invest money in developing those quality coaches," the stylish batsman explained.

The cricketer-turned-commentator also rued the fact that parents in India are still not open about their kids taking up sports as a career option.