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Since the launch of the ICPA, Indian cricket8217;s old boys club has seen a vertical split. The war of words between the older side, led by...

Since the launch of the ICPA, Indian cricket8217;s old boys club has seen a vertical split. The war of words between the older side, led by Kapil Dev, and that by Mansur Ali Khan has seen several bouncers and beamers, the bone of contention being control over today8217;s superstar cricketers. The two sides need little to get at each other; the latest issue is the launch by the ICPA of a medical insurance scheme for its members. A recap:

8226; ICPA launches insurance scheme for domestic and internation players.

Arun Lal announcing the scheme: Since there8217;s no one to look after players this will be a boon for them.

Kapil Dev: If the BCCI is good enough in taking care of the cricketers, you don8217;t need to fight just for the heck of it. Firstly, what happened to the old body formed in 1989 and why hasn8217;t the new body included any present cricketers.

Malhotra: Insurance scheme for first class cricketers is useless, as they are already covered under similar plans by the BCCI.

Shastri: Malhotra8217;s singing is music to the ears of the BCCI hierarchy. He was made coach of the India 8216;A8217; team and Indian team in Dhaka in the absence of John Wright8230;His continued singing makes me worried for John, who might be replaced in the middle of his tenure.

Malhotra: I was not made coach because of my comments, but because of my capability. I am one of the five best level-three coaches in India. As the boys were happy with my coaching in West Indies a positive report was submitted in my name.

Shastri: Having known Ashok for a long time, it was very disappointing that a fellow cricketer has made such remarks regarding ICPA. It is questioning the credibility of people like Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Saurav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and myself, just to name a few.

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Malhotra: I have deep respect for Ganguly, Tendulkar and Pataudi. But people like Shastri and Arun Lal have never done anything for cricketers. Shastri was already behaving like a dictator. I feel sorry for cricketers who have reposed faith in such people.

Sandeep Dwivedi

Sandeep Dwivedi is the Sports Editor at The Indian Express. He is one of India's most prominent sports journalists, known for his deep analytical insights and storytelling that often goes beyond scores and statistics to explore the human and cultural side of sports. Professional Profile Role: As the Sports Editor, he leads the sports coverage for the newspaper and the website. Weekly Column: He writes "The Sports Column," a weekly feature where he provides sharp, narrative-driven perspectives on the biggest sporting news of the week. Podcast: He is a frequent contributor to the "Express Sports" podcast (Game Time), where he discusses evolving trends in cricket and other international sports. Areas of Expertise While Dwivedi covers the entire sporting spectrum, his work is particularly noted in the following areas: Cricket: He provides extensive coverage of the Indian National Team and the IPL. He frequently analyzes the leadership styles of figures like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Gautam Gambhir. He is known for tracking the transition phases of Indian cricket and the evolution of specific players like Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant. Athletics & Olympic Sports: He has written extensively on Neeraj Chopra’s rise in javelin, the nuances of Indian shooting, and tennis legends like Sania Mirza and Leander Paes. Human Interest Stories: A hallmark of his writing is his focus on the struggles and backgrounds of athletes, such as the sacrifices made by Shafali Verma’s father or the "silent battles" of veteran players like Cheteshwar Pujara. Notable Recent Work & Themes Leadership and Dynamics: Recently, he has written about the dynamic between Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, arguing that personal friendship is not a prerequisite for team success. Sports & Culture: His articles often intersect with global culture, such as his deep dive into the 100-year legacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their role as American soft power during the Cold War. The "Grey Areas" of Sport: He often addresses sensitive topics like the mental health of cricketers post-retirement, the "outrage industry" in sports broadcasting, and the impact of fan-wars on the game. Tenure and Experience Dwivedi has been with The Indian Express for over three decades. This experience allows him to provide historical context to modern sporting events, often comparing current crises or triumphs to those of previous generations. You can follow his latest work and columns on his official Indian Express Author Profile. ... Read More