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Thursday, Sep 13, 2007
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We have tremendous support: Kapil

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Kapil Dev, chairman, Indian Cricket League’s (ICL) executive board, hailed the cricketers who had signed up as “the first professionals in India,” adding he was overwhelmed by the support the breakaway league had received.

At a press conference in Mayajaal, the former Indian all-rounder teased the possibility of big names joining, addressed the BCCI’s proposed Professional Cricket League (PCL), and spoke of the responsibility of “not letting down” those that had left the system.

“There are a few teething problems in the first year and there has been some opposition,” said Kapil here on Wednesday. “But, I never thought we’d have this kind of support. Whenever we’ve met the common person, at airports, in railway stations, outside, you can’t imagine how much encouragement we’ve got. Not just Indians here, but also Indians living abroad.”

Competition welcome

On PCL, Kapil said, “If the board has decided that, I’m proud and happy that they endorse our view about Twenty20 cricket. There’s nothing wrong with them coming. Competition is good. Good luck to them.”

He added that Sunil Gavaskar, expected to head PCL, was his hero. “He’s my senior colleague and I love him. If I can do anything for him, I will.”

Asked how ICL would differ from the BCCI in administration, Kapil said, “Everything will be open. We will put it on television live selection, everything. The time has come when people want to be more and more involved, so it’s all going to be in the open. Some things, the committee might not want to televise, but 90 per cent will be in the open.”

Kapil said ICL wanted to complement the BCCI, not fight it.

No fight

Asked if ICL could break the board’s monopoly on cricket in the country, he said, “From our side, there’s no fight. Our aim is to uplift the standard of cricket. I am not bothered by monopoly or anything. I have to look after my home. If you don’t disturb me, if you allow me to run my ICL, I’ll be happy.”

Kapil didn’t rule out the possibility of ICL cricketers playing for India.

“I don’t have to fight for them,” he said. “You (the media) will fight for us. My job is to provide good cricket. If they play good cricket, and if you don’t fight for them, I’ll say you are not the right people.”

On the availability of grounds to stage the competition, Kapil said, “Matches can be played here (Mayajaal) as well. Grounds are not a problem. We’ll go to schools; we’ll go to the streets. We have to build.”

He dismissed the view that ICL was no more than an avenue for retired international stars, saying, “Once you get to know the real names, and we’ll get back to you soon on that, you’ll know which side of their careers they are on.”

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