TOI
New Delhi, Feb 14: The war between Kapil Dev and BCCI has now taken a new twist, with the BCCI counsel repeatedly poking the former Indian captain on the match fixing allegations.
The Board counsel was cross-questioning Kapil in the affidavit filed by him in the Delhi High Court last year. The World Cup winning captain had filed the case against the BCCI, for stopping the pensions of former cricketers, who joined the ICL.
The BCCI counsel repeatedly questioned Kapil on Friday (February 13), on the match fixing scandal. An irritated Kapil then, lashed out at the BCCI for accusing him of match-fixing and clearly stated, that the charges won't tarnish his image.
According to the cricket prodigy, "I remember, we won the World Cup in 1983. Back then, we had served our country. Now if the BCCI thinks, that one word can change my life, then I'd like to categorically confirm that - 'No', it can't. I know, who I am and what I do."
Responding to ICL's affiliation matter with ICC, Group Head of ICL, Himanshu Mody said, "They are buying time by making vague queries over our motive but we haven't received any official information since April this year. We have given them a final call and asked them to reply in next 15 days. If they do, it's ok but if they don't then we don't need them."
On a virtual ban on the players playing for ICL from playing international cricket, Kapil had stated, "Our motive is only to promote cricket and if some young players are getting benefits from it, then what's the problem? We have never said that, our players can not play for any other team or for their national teams. But why are they (BCCI people) debarring them?"
There are around 70 players now in the ICL, whose dues are still pending on BCCI but BCCI is not looking in a mood to pay them back. Commenting on this, Kapil said, "It is really very unfortunate that BCCI is doing this. It is such a rich organisation that I don't see any reason for doing this. It is their livelihood and BCCI should give them their money as soon as possible."
Kapil indirectly charged BCCI vice-president and Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi for having a vindictive attitude towards ICL players. "They are trying to be vindictive towards us. Only one section of the Board is trying to do that. Moreover, it is just one person, who is being vindictive towards us," cited Kapil.
Kapil criticised the BCCI for neglecting former cricketers and pleaded before the Delhi High Court, that the governing body be asked to release pensions to him and other players - who joined the rival Indian Cricket League (ICL).
Kapil made the submission while appearing before the registrar of the Delhi High Court, Pawan Kumar Jain, for cross-examination by the BCCI. The allegations have been levelled by Kapil against the BCCI on the ground, that the apex body was taking punitive action against him and his ICL colleagues.
The BCCI has blocked pensions to 15 former players including Kapil Dev, Kiran More, Sandeep Patil, Ajit Wadekar and E. Prasanna after they joined the rival ICL.