Sunil Gavaskar on ...
The 2007 World Cup becoming a 16-team event: 'We need to look at developing the game and spreading it worldwide. It will be good to have more teams. I don't think more associate member countries will mean more one-sided games. Kenya showed that at the last World Cup'.
Sachin Tendulkar closing in on his world record of 34 Test hundreds: 'Sachin has got 31 presently and it will just be a matter of time. I will have a touch of regret when it is broken, but when you see the calibre of person who is overtaking me, it is well-deserved. I don't think anyone will break Sachin's record'.
Bangladesh's presence in the Test arena: 'One reason why they are not mentally tuned for Test matches is because they don't play much three-day cricket in their domestic league. They have fine stroke players who can score a brilliant 70 or 80, but they fail to carry on. Their recent performance against Pakistan shows that they have hope. They will improve the more regularly they play'.
Shane Warne's ban for drugs: 'The game needs to set proper standards. Whether deliberate or just an accident, a player must face the consequences. And it was a decision taken by the Australian Cricket Board themselves'.
South Africa's initial decision not to tour Pakistan because of security fears: 'Most unfortunate. But having been a player, I can understand that safety and security are major concerns and players with young families will feel apprehensive'.
On the future of world cricket: 'Very bright for the simple reason that these days the longer version is bound to end in a result (he holds the world record for being the captain who has the most draws in Test cricket - 30). This is mainly due to the positive influence of the one-day game'.
