Players should focus on their performance, Kapil Dev said in response to the Asia Cup 2025 handshake incident. He demanded that cricket be prioritized before political disagreements.
Veteran reporter Rajdeep Sardesai discussed the India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 debate with cricket icon Kapil Dev for India Today.After the final, Sardesai questioned Kapil about Indian players' refusal to shake hands with Pakistani players. Additionally, he said that Indian players had refused to collect the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the head of the ACC.
Kapil Dev asserts that players are capable of feeling emotions. However, the cricket players' only responsibility was to play once the BCCI and the government decided to do so.
Not shaking hands was "not a big thing," he remarked. He noted that it was equally reasonable to decline the award. On the other hand, such issues shouldn't be prolonged.
"You must move on." Let the government take care of that. Let politicians handle that. Making an impression was our responsibility, and I believe the Indian team accomplished this three times," Kapil Dev remarked.
Not shaking hands was "not a big thing," he remarked. He noted that it was equally reasonable to decline the award. On the other hand, such issues shouldn't be prolonged.
"You must move on." Let the government take care of that. Let politicians handle that. Making an impression was our responsibility, and I believe the Indian team accomplished this three times," Kapil Dev remarked.
The cricket icon emphasized time and again that players should play with pride and focus, while politicians and boards should handle politics.
When Sardesai asked Kapil if he would personally have touched hands, he acknowledged that players could not want to. However, he reaffirmed that shaking hands was polite and not a big deal.
He believed it should be left alone because the media was exaggerating it.
You refused to shake hands. You were unwilling to speak with them. It's adequate. Don't make it more complicated than that. The media ought to accept accountability as well. Now try to let it go," Kapil Dev continued.
When Sardesai asked Kapil if he would personally have touched hands, he acknowledged that players could not want to. However, he reaffirmed that shaking hands was polite and not a big deal.
He believed it should be left alone because the media was exaggerating it.
You refused to shake hands. You were unwilling to speak with them. It's adequate. Don't make it more complicated than that. The media ought to accept accountability as well. Now try to let it go," Kapil Dev continued.
Kapil Dev was then questioned by Rajdeep Sardesai on Mohsin Naqvi's decision to take the Asia Cup 2025 trophy without presenting it to the Indian players.
According to Kapil, it made little difference because India was already regarded as a world champion on the field. He believed that the cricket played, not a single trophy, should be the main focus.
"All right, if the Pakistan cricket team wants to win the title. They were defeated. The trophy is still theirs to keep. Those who have done it in front of the world are true champions. We have witnessed the Indian team's outstanding cricket performance on television," Kapil Dev continued.
According to Kapil, it made little difference because India was already regarded as a world champion on the field. He believed that the cricket played, not a single trophy, should be the main focus.
"All right, if the Pakistan cricket team wants to win the title. They were defeated. The trophy is still theirs to keep. Those who have done it in front of the world are true champions. We have witnessed the Indian team's outstanding cricket performance on television," Kapil Dev continued.
Sardesai questioned whether politicians and boards were using players as "pawns." Although athletes have a natural affection for their nation, Kapil Dev asserts that if the government requests it, they should play against Pakistan.
On the peace between India and Pakistan, Kapil Dev
In the past, handshakes were not necessarily a must for the game, as Kapil Dev pointed out. He claimed that when he played cricket, no one shook hands. He also emphasized how crucial communication is to maintaining harmony between India and Pakistan.
On the peace between India and Pakistan, Kapil Dev
In the past, handshakes were not necessarily a must for the game, as Kapil Dev pointed out. He claimed that when he played cricket, no one shook hands. He also emphasized how crucial communication is to maintaining harmony between India and Pakistan.
In response to a question on whether India ought to have skipped the competition following the Pahalgam terror attack, Kapil stated that he had no say in the matter.
They live next door to us. As big brothers, we should do all in our power to find a solution. Yes, a lot of negative things occurred. However, I want to go on with my life and attempt to say, "Let's move on for a better tomorrow, regardless of what happened yesterday," Kapil Dev continued.
They live next door to us. As big brothers, we should do all in our power to find a solution. Yes, a lot of negative things occurred. However, I want to go on with my life and attempt to say, "Let's move on for a better tomorrow, regardless of what happened yesterday," Kapil Dev continued.
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