Kapil Dev hopes to end agony

When one thing doesn't work, try another -- such, seemingly, is the Kapil Dev philosophy.

In pursuit of which, the national coach has sought a meeting with Federal Sports Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa for later today.

This is Kapil's latest bid to resolve the issue of his continuance as national coach -- his two year contract has one more year to run.

Following the public airing of the Manoj Prabhakar allegations, and more to the point, following Income Tax raids that, as per the preliminary report, reveal gross undervaluing of various properties in his name, Kapil Dev has been under pressure to quit. The sports minister had in fact said publicly that those under a cloud need to step aside voluntarily until the investigations are complete.

The BCCI, however, has stalled and played for time, reluctant to take a decision on Kapil's future even while it sounds out possible replacements. The reluctance stems not from an unwillingness to dump Kapil -- various top officials within the Board hierarchy are in fact only too willing to do so -- but for fear of setting a precedent that could recoil on the board. Thus, if the BCCI drops Kapil for having been raided by the Income Tax authorities, it will be forced to take similar action against BCCI treasurer Kishore Rungta, Rajasthan Cricket Association president Purushottam Rungta and, most importantly, Bengal Cricket Association chief Jagmohan Dalmiya, all of whom have been similarly raided.

Worse, BCCI president Dr A C Muthiah is himself under a cloud, thanks to ongoing investigations into the deregularising of the shares of SPIC, the company he heads, during the tenure of Jayalalitha Jayaram as Tamil Nadu chief minister. If, thus, the fact that Kapil is under investigation is cause for his removal, the board will then have to apply that rule across the board.

Both Kapil Dev, and the Board, would thus prefer the status quo, with the former serving out his tenure.

Kapil in fact tried an end run of sorts when, the day before the BCCI executive was to meet in Bangalore earlier this month, he gave an emotional interview to a news agency, saying he had had enough of cricket.

If you look at the interview carefully, though, you realise that Kapil had in fact said nothing about quitting. His statements, shorn of emotionalism, run this: 'I have had enough of cricket. I don't want to continue. However, if the board wants me to, I will continue. After my tenure as coach ends, I don't want anything to do with cricket. But if the game needs me, then I will continue.'

Faced with this emotional power-play, the board did what it does best -- stall. Thus, after two days of deliberation, the board authorised Muthiah to take a decision. The board chief for his part said he would meet with Kapil and discuss the issue. They did meet -- for a very brief while, since Kapil had "other business commitments" to attend to.

That in itself gives a fair indication that Kapil Dev has belatedly realised that his fate does not rest in the hands of the board, or its president.

The sports minister, has, in public, making polite noises to the effect that Kapil's future and that of other tainted players is purely a matter for the board to handle. However, behind the scences, the sports minister has been putting enormous pressure on the board. Sources indicate that Dhindsa has in so many words told the board that permission to take part in the upcoming ICC Knockout Tournament in Kenya could be withheld if the likes of Azhar, Jadeja and Kapil Dev are part of the team. The finance ministry has also thrown its weight behind the sports minister, indicating that Kapil and Azhar will have to pay the price.

Kapil, thus, is aware that his days are numbered. More so, as the board has been openly sounding out candidates to replace him, and inviting applications for the post of national coach. Sources indicate that Rodney Marsh and Geoff Marsh, the former Australian wicket-keeper and opener respectively, have in fact sent in applications, while Dean Jones, the former Aussie ODI star, admits he has been sounded out.

With the sword hanging over him, Kapil faces a further dilemma. If he quits on his own (a move he is reluctant to contemplate because it does effect part at least of his endorsements), rather than submit to the indignity of the sack, it could be construed in some quarters as an indication of guilt. Which is an impression he is loath to convey.

The balloon could go up on September 2, when the national selectors meet in Chennai to pick the team for the Kenya tournament.

Kapil's request for a meeting, thus, is seen as a bid to try and resolve the impasse with minimum loss of face to himself. A compromise formula, possibly involving Kapil Dev citing business commitments as a reason to resign, is being worked out behind the scenes.

Dhindsa, meanwhile, has agreed to meet with Kapil, albeit at short notice, later today.

Mail Cricket Editor