India vs South Africa Mohali Test: Sunil Gavaskar Hits Back at Kapil Dev's Jibe at Mumbai School of Cricket

In a friendly banter, Sunil Gavaskar hit back at Kapil Dev's recent comment on Mumbai school of cricket that has always taught copybook style of play. Shikhar Dhawan's manner of dismissal on Day 2 of the first Test between India and South Africa in Mohali was ammunition enough for Gavaskar to tell former teammate Kapil that "Mumbai" school was better than "Delhi" school when it came to the five-day format of the game. (India vs South Africa Mohali Test, Day 2: Ravichandran Ashwin Grabs Five Wickets to Give Hosts Advantage)

Kapil had recently stunned the world by saying that Sachin Tendulkar did not do justice to his enormous talent by being "stuck in the Mumbai school of cricket". Kapil hinted Tendulkar was not ruthless in attack and lacked the explosiveness of a Viv Richards or Virender Sehwag. (LIVE SCORECARD | NEWS | SCHEDULE)

"He (Sachin) got stuck with Bombay cricket. He didn't apply himself to the ruthless international cricket. I think he should have spent more time with Vivian Richards than some of the Bombay guys who played just neat and straight cricket...

"He (Sachin) was more of a perfect, or rather correct cricketer. Had I spent more time with him I would have told him 'go enjoy yourself, play like Virender Sehwag'. You will be a much better cricketer," Kapil was quoted as saying.

Dhawan, who had scored a stunning 187 against Australia on debut in Mohali in March 2013, got a pair this time against South Africa's Vernon Philander. In both innings, the left-handed Dhawan was out in identical fashion, flashing his bat to deliveries and edging to slips.

"I would like to tell my good friend Kapil that Delhi school of cricket did not work for Dhawan. He did not move his feet in both innings and tried to hit a moving red ball hard. He is totally out of form. In Mumbai cricket, we will call this "khade-khade (standing-standing) shot," joked Gavaskar during the tea-time show on STAR Sports.

The 66-year-old Gavaskar, who scored 10122 Test runs, studded with 34 centuries, was one of the most technically accomplished batsmen of his times. The former opener batted against the world's fastest and fiercest fast bowlers and his ability to play classy and long knocks only highlighted how cricketers honed their talent in Mumbai cricket.

Indian cricket has always seen the North-West divide in the Eighties and Nineties when most Test players would come from these two zones. West was known for classical cricket while Northern players were generally hard hitters of the ball and like Sehwag, often consigned batting grammar to the back-burners.

Gavaskar was critical of Indian batting on Thursday. After the hosts were all out for 201 in their first innings, Gavaskar said the top batsmen were in "ODI" mode and did not stand up to the demands of Test cricket.