Legendary cricketer Kapil Dev said that too much excitement and expectations can sometimes lead to disappointment, referring to India's loss to Australia in the recent ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final.
The 1983 World Cup-winning captain suggested the Indian cricket fans avoid putting too much pressure on the players and just watch cricket as just another sport.
Notably, Team India had a great run, winning 10 games in the recent Cricket World Cup 2023, but they suffered a heartbreaking defeat of 6 wickets in the final against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium on November 19. With this loss, India’s dream of winning the title once again was shattered.
Kapil Dev said on the sidelines of the inaugural tee off ceremony of Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational golf tournament: “Don't keep so much hopes that people end up with broken hearts. We need to keep a balance. Other teams also came to India to compete in the World Cup.”
He continued, “We shouldn't create so much hype. We need to look at sports as sports only. Whoever plays good on the day, we need to respect that. We are too emotional.
I think today's players can answer how much pressure they feel. We can only feel. If they (India) win it feels really good. There are shortcomings which we need to address. It is not that you won't have shortcomings after a win. What's most important is to rectify them.”
The legendary all-rounder has a special message for the Indian cricket fans who were disappointed with the team’s lose in the CWC 2023 final.
He said, “They (India) won 10 matches in a row. Is it not enough? We should look at other teams as well. We shouldn't compare anyone. What is important is to see whether they played good cricket or not. We played very good cricket.”
He added, “Final day was not ours so be it. We should look at performance of other teams as well like, South Africa, England who were the defending champions, they finished last (seventh).”
India’s first World Cup winning captain also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's gesture to visit the Indian dressing room and console the players after the heartbreaking loss to Australia. He said, “If the Prime Minister doesn't encourage, who will? He is the No.1 man in the country and if he supports, it feels good.”
The former all-rounder also avoided commenting on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's future in T20I cricket. He signed off by saying, “This is selectors job and we should leave it to them. It is not good to comment on everything. They are responsible and what they feel good, they should do.”
(With PTI Inputs)
