He said India would not be happy even if they make it to semi-finals on the back of other teams’ performances.
The Indian cricket team’s miserable performance in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 has left one and all disappointed, leading to heavy criticism of Virat Kohli and senior players, and now Indian legend Kapil Dev has called on the BCCI for some big decisions to be taken on the big names.
While India hasn’t been able to win an ICC tournament for a long time now, the Men in Blue suffered two back-to-back defeats against New Zealand and Pakistan in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2021, and their chances of making it to the semi-finals are also slim, which raises questions about Indian cricket.
Ahead of India’s next T20 World Cup 2021 clash with Afghanistan on November 3, former Indian all-rounder Dev has reckoned that Team India should not depend on the other team’s results to make it to the semi-final stages, as it doesn’t suit Indian cricket’s stature.
He also believes that it might be time for the BCCI and the selectors to take a call on the big names and their future, questioning why they are waiting to give more chances to youngsters if the established players are not able to prove themselves in the big tournaments.
The legendary all-rounder feels the time has come not to depend much on the big names of the Indian cricket team and for the next generation to take command.
Kapil Dev told ABP News: “If we succeed on the basis of some other teams, Indian cricket has never appreciated it. If you want to win the World Cup, or reach the semi-finals, do it on your own strengths. It is better not to depend on other teams. I guess the selectors will have to decide the future of the big names and the big players.”
He signed off by saying, “They need to think whether the youngsters who are performing well in the IPL, is it time to give them a chance? How do we make the next generation better? If they lose, there is no harm because they will gain experience. But if these big players don't perform now and play such bad cricket, there is going to be plenty of criticism. The BCCI needs to intervene and think about bringing more youngsters in.”