The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Sharp reaction to Kapil’s sacking

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Wednesday, Aug 22, 2007
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Sharp reaction to Kapil’s sacking

Special Correspondent

‘To appoint or remove is the BCCI’s prerogative’
Sandeep Patil too very critical of the Board

NEW DELHI: Kapil Dev seemed unruffled by the BCCI’s decision to remove him from the chairmanship of the National Cricket Academy on Tuesday.

Receiving the news with the composure that marked his cricket during pressure situations, the former India captain said he was hardly surprised with the attitude of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“They have ruled Indian cricket for 75 years or so without ever caring for the players. What can one say if the administration shows such attitude towards players who have served Indian cricket most loyally. To appoint or remove is the Board’s prerogative,” said Kapil.

The Board’s action came after Kapil, as chairman of the Indian Cricket League, announced the names of cricketers who joined the ICL on Monday along with a few former stars.

“I would have appreciated it if the Board had spoken to us before judging our actions. But then such things are not known to the Board. The Board does not believe in communication. I feel sorry that I will not be able to able to help the young cricketers at the NCA,” Kapil added.

Former India star and coach Sandeep Patil was very critical of the Board.

“It doesn’t matter if the Board sacks someone like me. But how can they treat a player like Kapil in this manner. Look at his contribution to the game in India. I want to know what is the contribution of the people who have taken this decision to remove Kapil? What is their standing? It is a sad day for cricket in India because the Board does not want to acknowledge former players trying to help young cricketers. They take it as confrontation. Well, as a cricketer I can say that we know how to tackle challenges and knowing Kapil, I know he will fight back. He is at his best when under pressure.”

Morespeak

Kiran More, former Test stumper and currently on the ICL’s Executive Board, said: “We are trying to do something for cricket and will keep on doing the same regardless of the BCCI’s decisions.”

“It is BCCI’s call and I don’t know what prompted them to take such an action against the greatest cricketer the country has seen. People in the BCCI should be made answerable. I don’t know how much cricket they have played.”

“This is just not on. I appeal to all cricketers to support Kapil. Not because Kapil is with the ICL but he is a cricketer,” he said.

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