From Imran's interview
If you have not watched Kapil bat, at least read some of the stuff written about his batting.
Those I think are words of wisdom. This is why I tend to avoid (with only partial success, admittedly) to look at averages of all-rounders. We should also look at number of outstanding performances with bat and ball.
Obviously it is not at all easy to develop both skills at that level but that is what makes great all rounders special. They are reasonable good in both.
And as Imran probably also alludes to it but one of the reasons that Kapil could not probably develop his batting was that he was the main work horse for India for almost all of his career. Imran had at different times others to support him or to take his place like Sarfaraz, Wasim, Waqar, Salim Jaffar, Aqib, etc. Kapil didn't have that luxury.
Good observation.
Yes, I see this as more evidence of the myth making surrounding Miller. His military career (available on Wiki) indicates someone who always had problems with discipline - a tendency that his wartime service only exacerbated. It was not the case, as sometimes made out to be, that Miller's carefree attitude was the sole result of his wartime experiences. Instead, he seems to have always had that "unprofessional" attitude which was later fed by his service; an attitude that was also seemingly indulged at times by his superiors, and then made into something of a "halo" after the war by eulogising English writers.
interesting
I'm aware of what people thought of Kapil's batting but his output didn't match Imran's. That's pretty much all there is to it. Maybe if like Imran he got a period where he could have concentrated more on his batting he could have improved. Imran did get it, and he did improve. If I could have one to bat for me, it'd be Imran.
I have seen him bat. Don't assume so much; it's baffling.
From that link:
I am not sure how being disrespectful to officers equates to his laisse-faire attitude towards cricket. Although I would say that I tend to agree with you. He did seem to have the groundwork.
Wow. One of those rare moments. Consider yourself privileged JBH....
in terms of averages and as, as you said, runs per innings kapil didnt match imran, i agree. but imran was a capable bat at best. he never produced anything as scintillating as kapil ever as a batsman. as bowlers imran was miles ahead but that is a different story.
That might be stretching it. Imran was no Bradman with the bat but he was no Courtney Walsh either. As I said earlier that he did save a few matches and against India 1978 he and Javed knocked off 116 runs in the final session of the match (in karachi IIRC..not sure though) in 18 or 20 overs. Imran really took Bedi to the cleaners in that match. A few matches in Australia ensured that Pak ended up at least drawing those matches. And against the West Indies in 88??? At least the final match in 90-91 WI-Pak series (it was a gun series) Imran had an excellent all round final match and had there been a few more overs might have actually won it with the bat too. He did end up saving it with the bat for Pakistan though.
I think 6 50s with a few red inks is NOT better than 2 100s and a couple of 20s with NO red inks.. The latter is giving you a much better chance to win the 2 said games than the former has done throughout the 6.
