"Players should take pride in playing for their nation."
Kapil Dev has suggested that the financially lucrative IPL is to blame for India’s poor performances at the T20 World Cup.
Virat Kohli’s side got off to a terrible start, losing back-to-back matches against Pakistan and New Zealand.
India bounced back with two wins, however, they needed Afghanistan to defeat New Zealand in order to make it to the semi-finals.
However, a cricket upset did not happen and India failed to qualify.
India’s dismal showing at the T20 World Cup was subsequently criticised.
Legendary cricketer Kapil Dev was one of the critics and he believes that the BCCI and the team should start planning immediately for the next World Cup instead of leaving things for later.
The next T20 World Cup will take place in 2022 and with India failing to qualify for the knockout stage, Kapil highlighted some of the reasons that may be to blame.
He said: “It’s time to look at the future. You should start planning right away.
“It’s not that since the World Cup is over, Indian team’s entire cricket is too. Go and plan.
“I just feel that there should have been some gap between IPL and the World Cup.
“But this is certainly there that our players today have a lot of exposure but they could not make the most of it.”
Kapil went on to suggest that some players are more interested in the IPL than playing for their country. He stated that the BCCI needs to look into it.
While he is not against the idea of cricketers playing franchise cricket, the priority should be playing for their country.
He continued: “When players prioritise IPL over playing for the country, we what can we say.
“Players should take pride in playing for their nation. I don’t know their financial conditions so can’t say much.
“But I feel that first in line should be the country’s team and then franchises.
“I’m not saying do not play cricket there (for the franchise), but the responsibility is now on the BCCI to plan its cricket better.
“To not repeat mistakes we committed in this tournament is the biggest learning for us.”
Others echoed Kapil’s points.
Former Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting said:
“Even with so much control and hold over world cricket, India is out of the World Cup.
“Money can’t buy success and Pakistan have proved that.”
A video circulated on social media of a fan expressing his anger at “arrogant” India following their loss against New Zealand.
Congratulations India ! for ? of many #Cricket fans listen this guys he saying truth abt arrogance of #BCCI and team #India ?
this is not #IPL #Virat, this is reality of #indiancricket team.#BanIPL #INDvsNZ #NZvIND #INDvNZ #RohitSharma #Shameful pic.twitter.com/5L19M7HsLv
— Mr. Kabeer (@sngka4) November 1, 2021
One user wrote: “What a disgrace you are Virat Kohli.
“India deserves better, Indian cricket fans deserve better.
“Wish the fans shun these egoistic hypocrites and follow some humble role models.”
India’s poor form at the T20 World Cup continues to spark more talking points but where the team goes from there remains to be seen.
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