The Board of Control for Cricket in India has 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 chairman.
The BCCI said that it made it very clear that no cricketer or official should be part of the ICL and it is for Kapil to relinquish one post.
"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 BCCI. It is for Kapil Dev to decide what he wants to do," BCCI joint-secretary M P Pandove said, reacting to Kapil's outburst against the Board.
Asked specifically what the BCCI would do if Kapil does not relinquish his post as NCA chairman, Pandove said, "We will discuss the issue and take appropriate steps."
After the BCCI shot off a letter to Kapil asking him not to align with the ICL, the former all-rounder replied, daring the board to sack him.
"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 Indian Cricket League, I will not budge," he asserted.
Pandove said BCCI chief Sharad Pawar had authorized one or two officials to speak with Kapil Dev on the 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 is not cowed down by the fact that aligning 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.
Recently, former stumper and ex-chief selector Kiran More quit as secretary of the Baroda Cricket Association to join Kapil on the ICL Executive Board.
Another former Indian player Sandeep Patil also joined the ICL.
A few months back, the Essel Group 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 huge prize-money.
