New Delhi, February 14
Cricket legend Kapil Dev has said that the Indian Premier League is run by businessmen, unlike his Indian Cricket League (ICL) which is managed by cricketers.

“The ICL is any day better than the IPL as it is the cricketers who are behind it, not businessmen as is the case with the IPL,” he said.

Kapil, who is currently embroiled in a court case with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for stopping his pension and other benefits, also said the ICL didn’t feel threatened by the IPL roping in big names for its Twenty20 event.

“All I can say is that it will be a good competition among the boys,” he said.

Asked why he thought the board was creating so much ruckus on players joining the ICL, the only ODI World-Cup-winning Indian captain quipped: “What can I say about that? If you have a headache, then you are the best person to mull it over. Only the BCCI can answer the question why it is so paranoid.”

When the talk veered to fast bowling with young Indian pacers like Ishant Sharma redefining the Indian attack, Kapil, the first Indian bowler to cross the 400-wicket mark in Tests, said it was important for fast bowlers to protect themselves from injuries.

“For fast bowlers, it is very important that they take care of their health. They should be careful about injuries, the worst that can happen to a bowler,” he said.

On Yuvraj Singh’s lack of form, one of the greatest all-rounders of the game said it was important to perform consistently to cement one’s place in the team.

“To have your place in the team, it is important that you perform. If you play well then nobody can take you out of the side, but if you can’t perform then nobody can save you,” he said. — IANS