Vivian Richards

Calcutta: Sir Vivian Richards, a former West Indies captain and the original Master Blaster, spoke to The Telegraph before leaving India at the end of his 2013 innings with the Delhi DareDevils.

The following are excerpts

Q Darren Sammy is no longer the West Indies captain in the 50-over format. That job has gone to Dwayne Bravo. What’s your take on this change?

A From the outside, I’ve always felt Sammy did a magnificent job. When he got the captaincy (in 2010), the West Indies needed some serious leadership and Sammy provided that. In fact, he was magnificent in holding the fort together. Sammy is still the Test and T20 captain, so making Bravo the ODI captain isn’t showing disrespect. Bravo is capable of continuing what Sammy has started. Sammy gave 120 per cent and I have respect for Bravo as well. He’s a whole-hearted cricketer.

Is it too much for one captain to lead in all three formats?

I think it’s a huge burden, yes. By putting less pressure on one person you’ll be helping the team.

Should Bravo be made the T20 captain as well?

We have to take one thing at a time and we, in the West Indies, must never forget that Sammy was captain when we won the World T20 last October... Loyalty (to the West Indies colours) is very important and Sammy has been loyal.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is captaining India across the formats...

Dhoni has been India’s most successful leader on a cricket field... If he has the stomach and the ability to continue, then why think of a change?

With plenty in the support staff and technology at hand, is it easier captaining in the present times?

(Laughs) With the volume of cricket being played nowadays, it can never be easier... But somebody in the backroom might be of enormous help... The game moves on, which is why you have a larger support staff.

Has there been a stand out captain for you in this IPL?

Dhoni’s always good... Rahul Dravid... Virat Kohli, who had ups and downs... T20 is such a format where things change quickly and you can’t become a bad captain overnight.

Did Dravid, the captain, surprise you pleasantly in this IPL?

I’m very happy for Dravid and I have always had huge respect for what he has achieved... To lead a side (the Rajasthan Royals) to what was a semi-final, without big names, is evidence enough of what Dravid is all about. I especially admired the way he handled the team after the spot-fixing scandal. He was magnificent... Dravid’s an inspiration to players approaching 40.

[Dravid turned 40 in January.]

Lastly... This year, quite a few franchises changed their captain. To avoid a Ricky Ponting type of a situation, should the IPL only feature Indian captains?

Well, let’s not forget the IPL is an Indian product. Because it is so, it would be great to have an Indian, knowing that he’s a part of something invented at home. In any case, 7 out of the 11 players have to be Indians.