Kapil Dev, the man who led Team India to its first One Day International World Cup win, has come out in support of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for taking a string stand on ensuring international players do not let go of their duties for their domestic teams.
When the BCCI revealed their yearly player retainership 2023–24 season for the senior men’s squad, it had two big names missing – Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan. The duo had not represented their domestic teams in different tournament even though they had been released from the national team. Inbstead they were busy practicing to play in the lucrative Indian Premier League, the T20 tournament.
“It is recommended that all athletes prioritize playing domestic cricket when they are not representing their country,” the BCCI stated in a stern message while releasing the player retainership for the 2023–24 season.
According to Kapil Dev, the decision to penalise players who skip domestic cricket without nay valid reason will greatly benefit Indian cricket. “I was going through the last few weeks of cricket in India. The cricket board’s move towards first-class cricket makes me very delighted,” he said in an interview with the PTI.
The former captain is thrilled with the idea, which he believes would further improve cricket in the nation, and believes that international players should play for their respective domestic teams when they are not representing their country. “The boys ought to play that; it’s beneficial to the nation.” I am glad about anything that is beneficial to the nation,” he continued.
Additionally, Kapil believes that the nation’s progress transcends any one person’s name. “A few players may suffer, but accept it. Nobody is greater than the nation. Excellent work,” he said.