Money-Making Factor Is There But Players Should Not Forget Our Tradition: Kapil Dev

Former India captain, Kapil Dev has opined that while IPL has provided great benefits to cricket, however, players should be encouraged to play Tests and ODIs as well.

In recent years, several players have prioritized playing for franchises in different T20 leagues over ODIs and Tests for their country. Therefore, there have been huge talks about saving Test cricket, while the ODIs seem relevant only when the World Cup is around the corner. To make every match significant ICC came up with the idea of the World Test Championship and ODI Championship.

Don’t just think about T20 or IPL, look after first-class cricket, Tests, and ODIs: Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev in a recent interaction with journalist Ayaz Memon on the 18th Hindustan Times Leadership Summit opined that players around the world wish to participate in the T20 leagues which offer them lucrative deals. Kapil Dev acknowledges the fact the IPL has strengthened Indian cricket as players from different countries ply their trade in India, and it gives out youngsters to learn a lot in the dressing room.

Kapil Dev was quoted by Hindustan Times saying, “Yes cricket has changed. People around the world only want to play IPL, BBL, and tournaments like that. I’m a more positive person. I would say IPL has given us strength. What used to be county cricket, every player used to play there (in England) but today IPL is giving the same benefit to us as the players are coming and playing in India. This has urged the young generation further.”

While he understands the T20s provide a monetary advantage, however, he says youngsters must be playing domestic first-class tournaments as well. The 1983 World Cup-winning skipper gave an example of Tennis saying that Wimbledon is still played on grass.

The former India all-rounder urges the new breed of talent coming in to focus on the art of the game which former greats like Sunil Gavaskar and Rahul Dravid proudly endorsed. He concluded by saying that he does enjoy the sixes being smashed in the IPL, and is in awe of the athletic fielding display.

“Don’t just think about T20 or IPL, you have to look after first-class cricket, Tests, and ODIs. Yes, the money-making factor is there but we should not forget our tradition. Tennis, for example, we still have Wimbledon played on grass. Focus on the art. How a Dravid or Gavaskar built their innings. I love watching sixes, I would have never imagined the kind of catches that are being taken today,” Kapil Dev maintained.

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