ICL was a learning experience,not a mistake: Kapil Dev

Former ICL chairman,Kapil Dev,who on Tuesday severed links with the now defunct organisation,denied that the benefit of Rs 1.5 crore and pension arrears he is now entitled to on returning to the BCCI fold influenced his decision.

Former ICL chairman,Kapil Dev,who on Tuesday severed links with the now defunct organisation,denied that the benefit of Rs 1.5 crore and pension arrears he is now entitled to on returning to the BCCI fold influenced his decision. Speaking with The Indian Express,Dev added that he had not asked for any amnesty and emphasised that he wouldnt consider his ICL stint a mistake but a learning experience.

You are making a comeback to the BCCI fold. What is the feeling like,considering the fact that you were once a chairman of the ICL that was known as rebel league?

The BCCI is the parent body and no individual can be bigger than the organisation. I wanted to serve cricket through the ICL and now that the ICL got over and I dont work for them,I informed the BCCI. I must say the BCCI president N Srinivasan made the effort to sit and talk it out with me. I told him,let there be no misunderstanding between us and he shared the view. He specially flew down from Chennai for the meeting in Mumbai this afternoon. I wish Indian cricket good luck and hope to see our team on top of the world again.

Do you think it was a mistake going the ICL way and leaving BCCI?

No I wont call it a mistake. As I said,I wanted to serve the game then. It was an experience for me and I learnt a lot.

What did you tell the BCCI? Did you ask for amnesty?

What is amnesty? I hadnt committed any crime. I wrote them a letter saying I dont work for ICL and that is it. Some people feel I did it because I was denied Rs 1.5 crore pension but there was nothing like that. God has been very kind to me and has given me much more than that amount so it was a simple case of my not being involved with the ICL anymore and the BCCI welcoming me back.

Story continues below this ad

Now that you are back in the BCCI fold,what role do you see for yourself in the coming months?

It is up to them to see what I can do for them. I have been a cricketer and because of cricket I am here so if they think I can serve the game I am always ready. The BCCI is doing a fantastic job and many past players are involved in the running of the game so there is no point in disturbing that. When the right time comes we will take a call on that.