The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday threatened to take ‘appropriate steps’ against former captain Kapil Dev for aligning with the rebel Indian Cricket League despite occupying the post of National Cricket Academy (NCA) chairman.

The BCCI said it had made it very clear that no cricketer or official should be part of the ICL and it was for Kapil to relinquish one post.

‘Kapil must decide’
“The BCCI does not recognise the ICL. It was a decision of the Working Committee that any cricketer or official being involved in the ICL would have no role to play in the BCCI. It is for Kapil Dev to decide what he wants to do,” BCCI joint secretary MP Pandove said, reacting to Kapil’s outburst against the Board.

Asked specifically what the BCCI would do if Kapil did not relinquish the post of NCA chairman, Pandove said, “We will discuss the issue and take appropriate steps.”

Kapil’s dare
After the BCCI had shot off a letter to Kapil asking him not to align with the ICL, the former all-rounder sent his reply and also dared the Board to sack him from the NCA post.

“They can remove me from the NCA if they want to. They only wanted me to contribute to the game of cricket and when I am doing so, they cannot challenge me. If I can do something for the game and the young cricketers through the Indian Cricket League, I will not budge,” he asserted.

Pandove said BCCI chief Sharad Pawar had authorised one or two officials to talk to Kapil on this issue.

“He is a respected cricketer and we wanted to know his views. But we have not still got any feedback from those officials,” he said.

Kapil was not cowed down by the fact that siding with the ICL might cost him pension.

“I did not go to them asking for pension and if they want to stop it, what can I do? Let them stop it,” said the country’s lone World Cup-winning captain.

Former stumper and ex-chief selector Kiran More quit the secretary’s post at the Baroda Cricket Association to join Kapil at the ICL Executive Board. Another former player, Sandeep Patil, has also joined the ICL.

A few months back, the Essel Group had launched the ICL with much fanfare, announcing that some top names of world cricket would take part in it. Speculation is rife that legends like Brian Lara, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath will join the league that promises a huge prize money.