Former India captain Kapil Dev avoided taking a clear stance on the growing debate around split coaching following India’s 0-2 Test series defeat to South Africa at home. When asked if having separate red-ball and white-ball coaches could help arrest India’s recent downturn in home Test results, he refrained from offering a definitive opinion. Kapil said the Board of Control for Cricket in India should make decisions purely on what strengthens Indian cricket.
He stated, “I don’t know… I can’t answer that. You have to really work something like that in your mind and say what should happen. Whatever is good for cricket, I think they should do it.” He also dismissed the notion that being an athlete today is harder due to social media, remarking, “No, it’s always the same. It was difficult then; it is difficult now. It was easy then, and it is easy now. Your mindset is more important.”
Balancing IPL Opportunities With National Duty
Kapil was also asked about the influence of lucrative T20 leagues and whether they overshadow national representation. He conceded that financial incentives appeal to everyone but emphasised that priorities vary among players. He said, “Everybody loves money, but some players feel that it is very important. I still feel playing for India is more important than playing IPL. But everybody is individual; they have their own thought process. Good luck to them.”
The 1983 World Cup-winning captain added that he personally does not have a preference for any specific format, noting that he enjoys the sport in every form. As he put it, “I just love cricket. Doesn’t matter even two balls cricket or 100 balls or 100 overs or 10 overs… cricket is cricket. See, golf is golf, whatever format you play, end of the day you enjoy golf.” Kapil even offered a playful comment about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, saying, “Good luck, they should play golf also,” highlighting his involvement in the sport as president of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).
Push For A Breakthrough Moment In Indian Golf
Kapil was speaking at the launch event of ‘72 The League’, a new city-based golf competition introduced by the PGTI and planned for next year. He stressed the need for India to produce world-class golfers capable of winning elite international tournaments. According to him, such achievements could transform the perception and growth of golf in India. He explained that victories at major events like the European Cup, the US Open or an Olympic medal would trigger a turning point for the sport.
He said, “We have to produce world champions. Once they go and win a European Cup or US Cup, or win at the Olympics, it will change the entire scenario.” Reflecting on what could serve as golf’s equivalent of cricket’s historic 1983 moment, Kapil added, “These boys go and win a European Cup or US Open, something like that… that will be the cherry on the cake.” He believes India is on the right path, noting the nation narrowly missed an Olympic medal, and concluded that a major global win—similar to Wimbledon in tennis—would significantly uplift golf’s stature in the country.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.