The Indian cricket team has seen phenomenal batters over generations. In the 1970s and 1980s, it was Sunil Gavaskar, the 'Little Master'. Then came, the prodigy Sachin Tendulkar, the 'Master Blaster'. As Tendulkar retired, Virat Kohli rose through the ranks and became a mainstay across formats. While the three batters are from different eras, legends are often asked who do they think is better. England's legendary batter Allan Lamb was asked the same question. He picked Tendulkar as the best of the three and recalled dropping him in a Test.
"Sachin easily. I played against him when he was 18. I dropped him at slip and he went to get 100 (in a Test match). So I always say to him, it was me that made your name (laughs)," Lamb told PTI.
Lamb lauded both Kohli and Gavaskar. However, he wished Tendulkar had batted against the legendary West Indies pace attack which terrorised batters, but bested by Gavaskar.
"Kohli is a brilliant player, he's got all the shots, he can score quickly. But if you want the best player I played against, that Indian player is Sachin, even ahead of Sunny. The only thing I would have liked to see Sachin play the West Indies, where Sunny scored runs against the West Indies. He was probably the only Indian to score runs against those quicks," he added.
Lamb on meeting Kapil for latter's County stint
Lamb also recalled playing with legendary Indian captain Kapil Dev for Northamptonshire. He has happy to see Dev and expected him to bolster the pace attack. However, Dev wanted to enjoy his batting in English conditions.
"I love the way Kapil Dev played. We played together at Northampton. I remember him coming over and I saying, 'Kapi, I'm so pleased that you've come over. We need to strengthen our bowling'. He said, 'no I haven't come to strengthen my bowling. I've come to better my batting. I've come here as a batsman, which I always enjoyed that', the 71-year-old said.