Calcutta: Kapil Dev, India’s first World Cup-winning captain, feels that the youngsters should learn from the Pradeep Sangwan incident.

“If the young can’t learn from others’ mistakes, then it’s a sad thing. Whatever happened I don’t know... I just want to wish everybody good luck,” Kapil said at a press conference on Saturday.

The following are excerpts

If Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the all-time best Indian captain

I don’t have to say that. Everybody knows that he’s done wonderfully well for himself and the team. Yes, he is one of the best captains and we should respect that. When you ask such questions, you have a doubt in your mind. I have no doubts... He’s the best captain at the moment. Just saying that he is the captain is enough.

Virat Kohli’s captaincy

As long Dhoni is there, we should not talk about any other person. If we have a captain, we should respect him. The day the selectors think it’s time to change, then we should talk about it. I will not talk about Kohli at all.

Duncan Fletcher’s role

Neither would I criticise him nor would I praise him… I didn’t say he did a horrible job when we lost to England and Australia. Now too, I won’t say he has done extremely well.

On how the team will fare once Sachin Tendulkar retires

I have faith in the team… They can maintain the winning momentum... At the moment, we should just say ‘well done boys, you’ve made us proud. You have made us happy with the way you’ve played…’ During the Champions Trophy you did not have the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh, who had served the country so well… When you don’t miss them, that means the next generation has arrived… I am not saying we don’t miss the big names anymore, but what I’m saying is that the young cricketers are playing so well that we did not miss the big guns.

Ravindra Jadeja’s performance

In the last one year, he has established himself as an all-rounder. He is the most valued cricketer at the moment. Since he came in, he has made so much difference to the team. He is the one who has set the fielding standards... Good to see a player of his calibre who can play and win matches with his batting, bowling and on top of that, with his fielding. Hats off to him. It’s great to have a player of his ability in the team.

Whether the likes of Sehwag and Gambhir can make a comeback

If Gambhir or Sehwag think that they cannot come back, then they should pack up, go home and sleep. If they don’t come back, then they’re not fighters. A sportsman is a fighter and has to take up the challenge.

If the nucleus of the side for the 2015 World Cup is in place

It’s too early to say that... You don’t know how many would be fit enough to play in the tournament... But, yes we have enough young boys who can play the next World Cup and win it… That’s important.

On Pradeep Sangwan testing positive

I don’t talk about negatives... If the young can’t learn from others’ mistakes then it’s a sad thing. Whatever happened I don’t know... I just want to wish everybody good luck.

The DRS controversy

Let’s not make it more complicated… The ICC is doing their job. Apply whichever is the best system… We cannot make everybody happy. But if we have to accept something, most should be happy.

Ricky Ponting saying that Brian Lara is better than Sachin

Everybody has their opinion… You should value others’ opinion as everybody has a way of thinking... Don’t bring two players together. It’s not correct…

If India’s superb performance can hide the IPL-VI mess

Winning will cover up everything… But I would say that you should always try to rectify your mistakes even while winning. If you play good cricket, a lot of bad things get hidden. But we don’t want to hide anything… We should have clean cricket as this country loves the game more than anything else... It’s the only thing that can unite the country.

Whether Dhoni’s 2011 World Cup triumph was tougher than their win in 1983

Obviously 2011 was tougher... Tomorrow, it will be more difficult. The reason is obvious. Life gets tougher, so in the future, it would be tougher... It won’t be easy.