ICL Information

Four of them are involved with the ICL; three others spent the better part of the IPL promoting the tournament on television and in their columns, in between going hoarse shouting about “DLF maximum sixes”; one of them is an active politician; a few others work as outspoken critics in different media outlets. Twenty-five years ago Kapil Dev knew little English and Roger Binny didn’t know Hindi, yet for six years they played together and shared precious little; Sunil Gavaskar couldn’t play an incorrect shot, Kris Srikkanth couldn’t play one that conformed; Sandeep Patil could not go to sleep at night because of extra-curricular activities, his room-mate Gavaskar was the epitome of discipline.

They are as diverse now as they were then, perhaps more so now. But it was most ironic that on the same day the BCCI felicitated the winners of World Cup 1983, it struck a low blow to Kapil and the ICL by barring English counties playing in the Champions League due to the ECB’s policy of letting ICL players play in their leagues. And this barely weeks after Kapil’s mural was removed from the PCA Stadium in Mohali.

Thus, as the evening began, a distinct feeling of discomfort engulfed the outsider: Kapil, of the ICL, and Gavaskar, one of the most influential men in the BCCI, sat next to each other as Sharad Pawar began his speech.

Thankfully, the BCCI got it right this time. Pawar’s speech finished in less than nine minutes and the stage was all Kapil’s. Put together in one room, irrespective of their differences, this motley crew became world champions again. Being champions is a force that will always define their lives and the bond of unshakable success allowed them, middle-aged today, to bask in the sunlight of their youth. Like boys, they reminisced and rejoiced India’s greatest achievement, and one that defined its cricket.

Their party had started half an hour before they even entered the function, in Kapil’s room, and would continue for hours after the ceremony was over. An emotional Kapil took over the microphone, and went on to give every one of his team-mates unique introductions. Teary-eyed and lumpy-throated, he poured his heart out in broken English and when really emotional, in Hindi. Some of the most heart-felt descriptions for his Devils had every one in the crowd - which included such greats as Ajit Wadekar, Mohammad Azharuddin, Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid - emoting, whether it was uproarious laughter or just goose-bumped awe.

The second man he called upon the stage was Dilip Vengsarkar, the “true Lord of Lord’s,” as Kapil referred to him. “When we were growing up he was Colonel, I don’t know what to call him now. The only title we can give him now is Lord,” said an emotional Kapil.

source : http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/355770.html