The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Kapil’s fears about IPL

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 25, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Kapil’s fears about IPL

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Former India captain Kapil Dev has expressed fears about the Indian Premier League (IPL) leaving traditional cricket in danger of being wiped off.

“I have nothing against the IPL or for that matter any venture that brings more and more money into the game but I am worried that cricket at some stage would become all about money and nothing else,” said the legendary cricketer in response to the announcements of the bids for the IPL teams by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

“I am really concerned if there would be interest left for Ranji and Duleep Trophy matches, the Irani up match, or the matches involving juniors. This way you are luring players into a world where the dazzle of big money can create a disturbing influence,” he warned.

“The BCCI,” argued Kapil, “was not interested in promoting cricket. The essence is purely on making more and more money and in the process cricket has been left behind. I don’t think cricket is any more the priority with the BCCI. It has reduced cricket to business and that I think is a dangerous trend. BCCI can’t become a business house. It’s prime duty is to promote cricket and IPL is certainly not the best way to do that. What is there for the junior cricketers there.”

Kapil wanted to know what have the BCCI officials done to improve the infrastructure in the country. “No one is bothered about the state of the grounds or the quality of the pitches. If IPL helps in improving the state of your cricket I would welcome it but here the talk is only of money. I am all for players making money but I would be happy if in the process the BCCI does not kill the traditional domestic cricket. BCCI should think more about cricket than business. As a former player, I think it is my duty to say a few things in this regard. Someone has to stand up if traditional cricket is threatened.”

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport