‘Government will do its job, players should do theirs’ - Legendary captain urges calm ahead of India-Pakistan clash
“Those whose job is to play should just focus on playing – there’s no need to say anything else. Don’t make this a big issue,” the former India cricketer said.
Former Indian captain Kapil Dev has urged people not to make a big issue out of the upcoming India-Pakistan match scheduled for Sunday, September 14. Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that it is bound by the Central government’s policy, which allows participation in multinational tournaments due to involvement of global stakeholders, but restricts playing any bilateral series against Pakistan.
India are the official hosts of this year’s Asia Cup, and due to ongoing tensions between the two nations, both teams have refrained from playing in each other’s countries. The legendary cricketer has urged the fans to let the game happen as planned, without questioning the same, as the matter isn't in the hands of the BCCI, or PCB, but the respective countries' governments.
“It’s a good team. Good luck. They won the match handsomely. We hope the team will return with the trophy. My message to the Indian team is just go and win. Those whose job is to play should just focus on playing – there’s no need to say anything else. Don’t make this a big issue. The government will do its job, and the players should do theirs,” Dev told reporters as quoted by The Indian Express.
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Kapil Dev, who was in Chandigarh to attend the presentations following the conclusion of the league stage of the ongoing Chandigarh Premier League. He lauded the efforts of the Union Territory of Chandigarh Association in organizing the tournament. UTCA president Sanjay Tandon was present alongside Dev. The former captain also met UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, accompanied by Tandon, at the Punjab Raj Bhavan.
“I am here to see this league and want to know about the growth of cricket in Chandigarh and how cricket in Chandigarh is progressing. That’s more important. I have played my cricket in Chandigarh and grew up in Chandigarh, so I am glad to see this Chandigarh Premier League happening,” said Dev.
“Kapil Dev ji started his career from the Sector 16 Stadium and led the Indian team to the 1983 World Cup triumph apart from making other records for the Indian cricket team. It’s an honour for us to welcome him to see the league matches. The players will get motivated after spending time with him,” said Tandon.
The Indian cricket team began its Asia Cup 2025 campaign emphatically, securing a nine-wicket win over the UAE in their opening match on Wednesday. Suryakumar Yadav & Co. will now face Pakistan in what will be the first encounter between the two rival nations in international cricket post-Operation Sindoor, amid heightened public interest.
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