The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : We will be happy if we deliver the goods: Kapil

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Monday, Sep 24, 2007
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We will be happy if we deliver the goods: Kapil

— File Photo

Kapil Dev.

New Delhi: Former India cricket captain, Kapil Dev, has said that he is not bothered about the fact that no cricket Board has recognised the Zee TV-backed ICL.

Kapil, while speaking exclusively on CNN-IBN’s show Devil’s Advocate, which was telecast on Sunday, told Karan Thapar that, “the idea is to have cricket in India — that is the most important thing, and if we deliver the goods and if we work hard, people recognise or not, Boards recognise or not, we are satisfied by what we are doing.”

On being asked if players like Brian Lara and Inzamam-ul-Haq desert the ICL and are lured by the BCCI-backed IPL, Kapil said, ‘we are prepared for that, for everything. As long as our young boys are ready to play and our cricketers (are ready to play). There are enough cricketers in this world, who are ready to play.”

When asked why the ICL had not approached the big three of Indian cricket — Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid — Kapil retorted by saying that it was not important to approach everybody, and that he will do so when he thinks the time is right. “We can live without everyone as long as the young boys of the country who want to play tomorrow (are ready to play). We will try to talk to them. At this stage we don’t think it is right to talk to them,” Kapil said.

When pointed out that just 11.5 per cent of Indian cricketers who have signed up for the ICL have played Tests, ODIs or have even been part of the India ‘A’ team, Kapil said that he is not bothered with this fact.

“Who was Dhoni five years back, who was Robin Uthappa two or even one-year back; so you have to give a chance to the young boys’. May be in times to come, they will click and become the best,” Kapil said.

Swipe at the BCCI

He took a swipe at the BCCI for launching the IPL in response to the ICL.

He said, “I am very proud and happy. The cricket Board six months back was criticising us like anything, and all the people were talking about what are this Twenty20 cricket and all that, and then within two months they started their own league. I can say they authenticate us, and I am proud — that’s what we are looking for. I want to wish them also a great success.”

Financial viability

Responding to questions about the financial viability of the ICL, Kapil said there were sponsors and advertisers ready to back the venture. Prodded further on the same issue, he said, “the money side is not my baby, but nevertheless, when I am head of that (ICL) I would like to see that it should be good enough for them (for ICL) to get the money back (that) they are spending on us cricketers.”

He added, “I think if there was no money they wouldn’t have started — I think the business people know, and I hope they have a long [deep] pocket, and I hope they are ready to spend, and they are spending the way we are expecting.”

Talking about the lack of playing grounds and the BCCI’s opposition to give access to playing pitches, Kapil said that two grounds should be enough to hold the tournament that they are planning, and then added, “in the last 70 years, the BCCI has only five or six grounds, the rest is all taken on lease from the Government. We just started, what do you expect overnight? We shall build stadiums? Give us time and moral support, give us everybody’s moral support — we will do it.”

Teething problems

Responding to queries about why the first tournament announced by ICL has been postponed from October to mid-November, Kapil admitted that there were teething problems, but then added, “...we have already made most of the chart, which we will come out with in a very short time — (chart will have details about) where the tournament will be played, and secondly the camp is already in progress in Chennai, and all the 50 young guys are attending the camp.”

Pressed further on the postponement, and whether it was done because of lack of money and sponsors, Kapil denied this and said, “we all sat together and said mid-November is the right date, because that time the international cricketers should also be free to play.”

When asked if this could be further postponed, Kapil said, “I can give you specifically — November 17 is the target date, but still let us wait till it is officially announced.”

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