Action replay

Arun Lal (announcing the scheme): Since there’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 don’t need to fight just for the heck of it. Firstly, what happened to the old body (formed in 1989) and why hasn’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: Malhotra’s singing is music to the ears of the BCCI hierarchy. He was made coach of the India ‘A’ team and Indian team in Dhaka in the absence of John Wright…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.

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.