Sachin's idea of splitting ODI format pre-mature: Kapil

Former India captain Kapil Dev on Tuesday opposed master batsman Sachin Tendulkar's idea of splitting one-day international matches into four innings with 25 overs each and said the proposal was a "pre-mature" one.

"It's pre-mature to think of splitting ODIs. Each format of the game -- Test, one-dayers and Twenty20 -- will remain to exist and the popularity will remain," said the 1983 World Cup winning captain.

However, Kapil heaped praise on Tendulkar for yesterday's match-winning 44th century and said, "He is a great player and is very passionate about the game. If he is fit, he can continue as long as he wants. It's up to him to decide when to retire."

Tendulkar cracked 138 to help India lift the title.

Kapil cited the example of Monday's Compaq Cup final that India won against Sri Lanka by 46 runs and insisted that one-day format becoming more attractive with every passing day.

"Did not you see Monday's match and the interest it generated? Interest in ODIs is improving day by day and TV revenues are also increasing...," he said.