Tax breaks should be extended to all sports people, says Kapil Dev

Former Indian cricket team captain Kapil Dev, who led India’s win in the 1983 World Cup, said tax breaks considered by the Central Government for members of the 2011 World Cup winning team, must be extended to all other sports as well.

“You should look after everybody the same way. Other sports people, too (as cricket players),” said Kapil Dev. The all-rounder from Haryana, met a group of Indian journalists in London and talked about the last week’s India’ victory in the World Cup. He said the 2011 team is a far better team than one he led to victory in the 1983 World Cup.

Talking of the 1983 team, he said, “We did not have any experience (in one day cricket). Absolutely raw. No one day match temperament.”

“There is growth in all sides — Commonwealth Games, cricket, business. We are definitely flying... shining from every side,” he said.

He, however, said the winning Indian team did not play to its full potential. He said complacency could be the reason for the team not playing to its full potential. He also said Sachin Tendulkar has performed better in the last two years than what he had in the last decade. “It has been unbelievably good. This genius, the older he gets the better he plays,” Dev said.

He urged the BCCI get more involved in the game at school and state levels. Big players don’t come from bigger cities (like Mumbai) anymore for want of space to play the game, he said. Bodies like BCCI needs to reach out into smaller cities and towns to bring out stars like Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He was also critical of BCCI’s overall performance. “I don’t know how BCCI works. You should ask the politicians,” he said.