It isn’t any hidden undeniable fact that the 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev shares a cordial relationship with Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, nonetheless, there’s one specific incident that left a scar on their relationship.
The incident dates again to 1984, when England had been touring India and the 2 sides had been making ready to lock horns in a Test in Kolkata, which the hosts received by eight wickets. Notably, former India star all-rounder and match-winner Kapil Dev was axed from the aspect for the Test and the choice was arduous to digest for many as he was in his prime type at the moment.
Apparently, Kapil was reprimanded for taking part in rash photographs within the earlier Test match in Delhi, which India misplaced.
The second match of the collection was being performed on the Feroz Shah Kotla (now Arun Jaitley Stadium) and was heading in direction of a draw on day 5. That is when Kapil tried taking part in an aggressive shot and bought out. The previous few wickets fell shortly handing England a well-known victory.
Kapil was dropped for the subsequent match on the Eden Gardens in Calcutta and it’s believed that the Team India choice committee which was headed by Chandu Borde at the moment, determined to drop him as a punishment for taking part in a reckless shot within the earlier match.
Notably, skipper Sunil Gavaskar was additionally part of the choice committee and Kapil alleged that the opener was accountable for his omission.
However, Gavaskar claimed that he had no position to play within the axing of the legendary all-rounder.
Interestingly, the Kolkata crowd weren’t blissful about the truth that Kapil Dev was dropped they usually even chanted – ‘No Kapil, No Test’. They even threw rotten greens and fruits at Gavaskar. Following the incident, the little grasp even vowed that he would by no means play on the Eden Gardens once more.
Gavaskar denied any involvement within the controversial transfer
In March 2021, Gavaskar clarified that it wasn’t his proposal to drop Kapil from taking part in XI, including this has been unfold like some kind of a “myth” for a very long time.
“As far as Kapil Dev is concerned, this has been something a myth that has been spread for a long, long time. I did not propose dropping Kapil Dev. I was part of the selection committee as the Indian captain and as the Indian captain, I can join the selection committee I do not have a voting right. I’m just co opted to the selection committee. The proposed action to drop Kapil there was proposed by somebody else, another selector,” Gavaskar informed Sports Today.
“So I have to only say one thing that I might be a lot of things I might be whatever, but I’m not stupid to drop my only match-winner. To propose dropping my only matchwinner? How could I have even…. How can anybody even think that! I’m that stupid to think in terms of dropping my match-winner?” Gavaskar questioned.
Gavaskar additionally clarified that each one they share is mutual respect for one another and there’s no bitterness from that incident in any respect.
