da premier bet： Kapil Dev Nikhanj just cannot keep away from the game
Staff Reporter10-Oct-2001Kapil Dev Nikhanj just cannot keep away from the game.Despite teary avowals and firm pronouncements to never involvehimself in cricket again, Kapil Dev was seen at Delhi’sFerozeshah Kotla ground on Tuesday, addressing young hopefulsat a conditioning camp.”I never said I wouldn’t help a cricketer if he approachesme,” he said. “If I can teach cricket overseas, why wouldn’t Ido so in my own country?” he asked, referring to his visit toNorthern Ireland on behalf of the Laureus Sport for GoodFoundation.The former Indian coach, requested for help by left-arm seamerAshish Nehra, made some technical adjustments in his ward’saction on Saturday before reluctantly agreeing to appear atthe Kotla for another session. “I couldn’t have madesuggestions without watching him in action,” he said.That session never materialised as Kapil Dev’s time washijacked by the media, Bishan Singh Bedi, and a band of youngcricketers, all armed with questions for the great allrounder. Bedi, Kapil Dev’s first captain in internationalcricket, acted as spokesperson for the youngsters, phrasingtheir questions and explaining Kapil Dev’s answers.Bedi’s presence provided Kapil Dev with his most inspiringanecdotes and advice. Hard work, he said, was everything. “Wewere always told that Bedi used to bowl alone, at a singlewicket. We would wonder if the Sardar had gone mad. But thatwas the kind of commitment we all strove to achieve in ourplaying days,” said Kapil Dev.He also used Sunil Gavaskar’s example to demonstrate theenormous difference that can be made by supplementing skillwith sweat, citing that factor as instrumental in transformingGavaskar into a champion batsman. “If you begin to drinkalone, you come to be known as an alcoholic. But if youpractice alone, you become a champion,” said Kapil Dev,further illustrating his point.Technical advice also flowed freely. To the medium-pacersamong the youngsters in particular, Kapil Dev said “Learn tobowl to your strength and to your field.” He emphasised theimportance of fitness and off-season training, and thenpromptly proceeded to put words into action by bowling to afew of the young batsmen in the nets.Nehra, for the evening, was sidelined, but Kapil Dev enjoyedthe time spent at the Kotla. “How can I forget my roots? Itwould have been an insult to my association with the game if Ihad refused to help someone sort his problems out. I reaped somuch from this ground,” he said.Coaching may still stir his heart, but Kapil Dev no longerbears animosity for being forced out of his position of Indianteam coach. “I was bitter when I left the job,” he said. “Butnot now.”