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Gavaskar, Kapil applaud Walsh

Faisal Shariff in Sharjah

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, once the highest run-getter in Test cricket and holder of the record for the maximum Test centuries (34), is all praise for fast bowler Courtney Walsh after the 37-year-old West Indian became the highest wicket-taker in the longer version of the game on Monday.

"I would like to add my congratulations to Courtney Walsh for becoming the highest wicket taker in Test cricket," he said. "It is an achievement that speaks volumes for his dedication, determination and discipline, and to his fitness to stay at the top for such a long time.

"More importantly, he has shown that a bowler does not have to sledge and show disrespect to the batsmen to get wickets."

The master batsman, who is in Sharjah for the ongoing tri-series featuring Indian, Pakistan and South Africa, added: "Walsh is a rare cricketer, a sportsman to the core and the record now belongs to one of the nicest persons the game has known.

"As an Indian, I am sad that Kapil's record has been broken. I have seen first hand the backbreaking effort that Kapil put in, and with no disrespect at all to all those who bowled with him, Kapil often ploughed a lone furrow with the ball -- that too mainly on Indian pitches which hardly encourage fast and swing bowlers -- and therefore Kapil’s was a truly stupendous achievement. His mark may be overtaken, but to me Kapil Dev is second to none and still India's greatest cricketer and its pride and joy."

Kapil though disappointed on losing the record of 434 wickets, was also lavish in praise.

"I feel very happy for someone having broken the record eventually. All the more I think Courtney has done a wonderful job breaking the record at home, where he loves playing cricket. My good wishes to him and I hope he gets drunk and enjoys himself as much as he can, and not forget he still has to play another day of Test cricket," he said.

The former India captain "thanked" Walsh for "letting the record stand in the last century."

"I thank Courtney for not breaking my record in the last century. I am very happy that my record stood for the previous century. Enjoy life Courtney," he declared.

Kapil said he was not at all sad that his record was broken.

"Having played cricket for 20 years I think he (Walsh) has done a wonderful job; I hope that he reaches his personal target. I don't feel sad at all, as I too had broken someone's record. He has broken my record and in the future somebody will break his record. The world moves ahead. You set a target for other people to follow."