3 Indian ''All-Rounders'' among world's 16 in Prof Chaturvedi's book

New Delhi, June 29 (UNI) Former India players Kapil Dev, Vinoo Mankad and Salim Durrani have been included among the World's 16 best all-rounders in a book titled ''All-Rounders'', written by Professor Surya Prakash Chaturvedi.

Defining the meaning and showcasing the contribution of all-rounders in the sport, Prof Chaturvedi told newspersons here last night, ''Only a player who can play both as a frontline batsmen as well as a frontline bowler in the Test team of his country should be referred to as an all-rounder.'' In a vieled attack on so-called modern day all-rounders, he chided ''After the start of ODI cricket, the word all-rounder has been devalued.

Anyone making 15 odd runs and bowling five six overs without giving too many runs will be referred to be as an all-rounder these days.'' ''Many people in India, specially youngsters, feel that Dhoni, Pathan are all-rounders. Even a player playing four five Test matches becomes an all-rounder, thanks to the media for this,'' he added sarcastically.

''We can call them utility players, essential players for an ODI side, but not an all-rounder,'' he insisted.

The book was released by the former Indian all-rounder Salim Durrani, who expressed his happiness at being included as one of the three Indian all-rounders. Former Board president Rajsingh Dungarpur was present on the ocassion.

Mr Chaturvedi is a professor in English but has written his third book in Hindi, contributing immensely in expressing the cricket culture of India in the language of the masses.

He has been writing on cricket for the last four decades besides presenting programmes on television and radio also.

UNI