Kapil Dev back in BCCI fold after sorting out differences

8220;The BCCI has received a letter from Mr. Kapil Dev,former India captain. Mr. Kapil Dev has informed the Board that he has resigned from the Essel Sports Private Limited ICL. He has also stated in the letter that he has always supported the BCCI,and will continue to do so in the future. The BCCI acknowledges Mr Kapil Dev8217;s immense contribution to Indian cricket and looks forward to a fruitful association with him in the years to come,8221; Srinivasan was quoted as saying by the release.

8220;The BCCI will now release the one-time benefit of Rs 1.5 crore for Kapil for playing more than 100 Tests and he will again be eligible for monthly gratis of Rs 35,000 from the board. His gratis arrears for the last five years will also be cleared with immediate effect,8221; a senior BCCI official said today.

Kapil,who tried to avoid the waiting media persons,however seemed happy to be back in the official fold.

8220;BCCI is like a parent and we are like its children. Even during my earlier association,I have contributed for welfare of cricket and cricketers and even now I aim to do so,8221; Kapil told the mediapersons.

I have never understood what amnesty means,says Kapil

Kapil Dev is certainly a relieved an after being back into the BCCI fold but the legendary all-rounder still has reservations if one terms his comeback as getting 8220;amnesty from BCCI.8221;

8220;I never understood whether the word amnesty is correct or not. May be I am not very intelligent but I checked the dictionary to find the meaning,8221; said Kapil with a tinge of sarcasm on the sidelines of relaunch function of popular sports magazine 8216;Sportstar8217;.

People had associated the word 8216;rebel8217; with Indian Cricket League but the 53-year-old said that his stint at the unsanctioned league had been a learning experience for him.

8220;Whatever people might think,but personally I have learnt a lot. Now I feel more experienced and confident about taking up any responsibility that I am entrusted with,8221; the former India captain said.

He agreed that there were misunderstandings with the BCCI but those have been sorted out now.

8220;I have always believed that there isn8217;t a single thing that can8217;t be sorted out if two people sit across the table and talk it out. Even Indo-Pak issue could be sorted out if there is proper dialogue.

8220;I have never disregarded BCCI as it was,and will remain,my parent body. As a sportsman,my aim was to help sportspersons grow. The idea is to see what is good for sport rather than what8217;s good for individuals,8221; Kapil said.

When asked whether he is expecting any specific role from the Board,Kapil was non-committal,8221;I don8217;t know. It8217;s for them to decide.8221;

Kapil8217;s first international captain Bishan Singh Bedi,who was also present at the function,termed BCCI8217;s decision as 8220;magnificent news.8221;

8220;All these years,Kapil must have been very tense. It was a fair amount of time and there wasn8217;t any need for it. Kapil still has so much to contribute to Indian cricket. Kapil must have understood that BCCI is still a parent body and one should give due respect to it,8221; Bedi said.

Kapil,however was quick to refute on the 8220;tense8221; part though.

8220;Paaji,for five years,I never had any tension,8221; Kapil said as the small gathering had a good laugh.

Kapil8217;s one-time teammate and former ICL coach Madan Lal also welcomed BCCI decision.

Two other former teammates also hailed BCCI8217;s move.

8220;Kapil is one of the greatest all-rounders the world has ever seen. His contribution to the game is huge. His tremendous knowledge of fast bowling could be utilised by the BCCI in producing quality bowlers which is the need of the hour for Indian cricket,8221; said another former captain Dilip Vengsarkar.

8220;It8217;s a nice thing that both BCCI and Kapil have decided to sort out their differences as he still has a lot to contribute to Indian cricket,8221; said Madan Lal.