PTI
New Delhi, Jul 9: Former captain Kapil Dev has dared the BCCI to sack him from the Chairman's post at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for his alignment with the rebel Indian Cricket League.
Kapil earned the Board's wrath by joining Essel Group's ICL as the Chairman of its Executive Board and the BCCI, in its recent Working Committee meeting, decided that no individual would be allowed to be with both the parties at the same time.
BCCI shot a letter to Kapil asking him not to align with the ICL, but the former all-rounder was unperturbed.
"I have already sent my reply to them," Kapil told 'Aaj Tak' channel. "They can remove me from the NCA if they want to," said a nonchalant Kapil.
"They only wanted me to contribute to the game of cricket, and when I am doing so they cannot challenge me. If I can do something for the game and the young cricketers through the Indian Cricket League, I will not budge," he asserted.
Recently, former stumper and ex-chairman of the Selection Committee, Kiran More, resigned from the secretary's post at the Baroda Cricket Association to join the ICL board.
Kapil was also aghast at the BCCI decision to stop pension to former players who align with the ICL.
"I did not go to them asking for pension, and if they want to stop it, what can I do? Let them stop it," said the country's lone World Cup–winning captain.
Asked if he should have asked for BCCI permission before joining ICL, Kapil said, "I don't need to ask the BCCI for every small thing."
Kapil was clueless as to what made BCCI see a potential rival in the ICL and target those associated with the league.
"Why do they see ICL as a parallel or rebel body? The BCCI is trying to promote the game in India and if somebody else is pumping in more money why is it a problem with them?
"This league can only help the BCCI. This can help Indian cricket and shape so many careers. What is BCCI's problem?" he asked.
BCCI secretary, Niranjan Shah, however, made it clear that former players like Kapil would have to make a choice.
"We have decided not to recognise ICL in our Working Committee meeting as no state association was in its favour. We don't want to promote anybody who wants to be a parallel body. We have a policy and there will not be any re-think on this," Shah told the channel.
A few months back, the Essel Group had launched the ICL with much fanfare, announcing that some top names of world cricket would take part in it. Speculation is rife that legends like Brian Lara, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath will join the league that promises a huge prize money.