Dev arrived at the BCCI office to submit a letter to the board informing them that he had resigned from Essel Sports Pvt. Ltd/ICL and to vow his support to Indian cricket’s parent body. The President accepted his letter and welcomed him back to the BCCI family.
In a short chat with bcci.tv immediately after the meeting, Dev spoke with characteristic candour and emotion.
“Yes, there can be misunderstandings at times, but as part of Indian cricket, this is my parent body and I’ve always had respect for the organisation more than the individuals [that form it]. I love my cricket board and I’m so happy to be back here. I’m proud to be part of one of the biggest sporting organisations in the world,” beamed the legendary former India captain.
Part of cricketing folklore thanks to his lethal out-swingers and aggressive batting, Kapil Dev has brought India glory on the cricket field with both bat and ball. The 1983 World Cup, where Dev’s Devils stunned the world, was the crowning moment of a glorious career.
Dev’s return to the BCCI was occasioned by a friendly gesture from the board; Srinivasan invited Dev for a chat and requested him to join hands with the organisation. Dev, in turn, honoured the word of the man he has always held in high regard.
“He’s a wonderful administrator and has shown his worth. If a man of his calibre calls you and asks you to come back [it is a matter of pride]. I was so delighted to hear from him,” Dev said of the BCCI President.
“He’s a man with endless passion for Indian cricket and that’s what I admire the most about him. There are people who are only interested in name and fame, but few work sincerely for 25 to 30 years for the betterment of the game. When such people come up, you feel proud,” Dev said.
The BCCI has always sought valuable insights of retired stalwarts and implemented their suggestions. Former captains like Sunil Gavaskar, Tiger Pataudi, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble have held important administrative positions at the BCCI over the years. Kapil Dev – with his knowledge, experience and most importantly, passion – joining forces with the board signals a brighter cricketing future.
In his statement welcoming Dev back, Srinivasan seconded the thought. “The BCCI acknowledges Mr. Kapil Dev’s immense contribution to Indian cricket and looks forward to a fruitful association with him in the years to come.”
While Dev is as keen as always to contribute to the game in India, he wants to take it one step at a time.
“I think it’s up to the administrators to decide what kind of input they want from the former players and what role they want them to play. Once my role is defined, I’ll put my head to it and open my mouth only after looking into its details thoroughly. At the moment, I haven’t thought about it.”
No matter what role he plays, Dev wants to perform it rigorously. “Indian cricket has come a long way. One thing I’d like the players to inculcate is the virtue of discipline. As a professional, once you’re 100 percent disciplined, it brings you everything.”
No comments:
Post a Comment