Isn't it true that in the past, too, the BCCI was not much interested in your services?
Yes, but past is past and I do not want to worry about it. What hurts me is that when I was still available, and so keen to offer my help, why I was not utilised. So what do you want me to do in such a situation? Should I not take the opportunity that has come my way from the ICL? It is because of all this that I have joined the ICL.
Did Kapil Dev say anything specific before you signed up with ICL?
Well, when we discussed everything, he told me that I have to draw the spinners' list. It was clear. One cricketer was talking to another. And when you are a cricketer, you always remain a cricketer. So I think we understand the language better than the administrators. In the final analysis, it is cricket and spin bowling in particular as far as the ICL and I are concerned.
Haven't you joined the ICL for money, too?
Financial reward is an incentive for any human being. Everyone requires money. You require money, I need money, and we would be hypocrites if we do not admit it. As far as Indian cricketers are concerned, the days of playing for free and serving the game for free are long behind us. The scenario is quite different today.
When cricketers of my generation played, we played primarily because we had passion for the game. There was virtually no money to speak of in those days. I do not think players like Subhash Gupte and Vinoo Mankad from the earlier generation got even Rs. 50. Today, nobody does any honorary job. And I do not think today's cricketers will love to play for India if they are not paid handsomely. Let us be honest about this reality.
Why have different contracts for the players come into being? Simply because money is required by all. You cannot survive without money in today's world. If the present-day cricketers require money, why not us for whatsoever experience and expertise we have?
How do you see the ICL's future?
The ICL has started with a clear mind. We want to give a platform to those cricketers in India who do not have it to show their talents. Cricket is covered throughout the country thanks to the vast reach of the electronic media. But only about 25 to 30 per cent players get a chance to play first-class cricket. And out of this hardly 2 to 3 per cent get to represent India. What happens to the rest of 75 to 80 per cent players who play but do not get a chance? They are not noticed.
So the ICL has made an attempt to give them a platform and to train them in all aspects of the game. If they perform well and, during the process, if you produce batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly and match-winning bowlers like Anil Kumble, it is good for Indian cricket in the end.
So if some quality players surface, I do not see any reason why they cannot play for the country. This is the idea with which we are going at the ICL. But cricket is the ultimate. The BCCI is not big. Cricket is bigger than anybody. No one is bigger than the law and no one is greater than the game.
Photographs: Getty Images
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