It's ICC's job how to run the game: Kapil Dev on controversies during World Cup

Bengaluru: Commenting on the controversies that had a tinge of international politics during the World Cup, India's cricket legend Kapil Dev said it is ICC's job of how it wants to run the game.

"I am nobody. I think I am a spectator. That's it. It is the ICC's job. It is Cricket Control's job of how to run the game. It is not my job. My job is to watch on television and enjoy the game," he told UNI in an interaction with him on the sidelines of the Vishwa Samudra Golden Eagles' annual golf championship here on Sunday.

One of the few controversies that caught the attention of many was Mohammad Rizwan offering Namaz on the cricket field during the second half of the match while Netherlands were batting.

A complaint was filed against him for offering prayers on the cricket field during the game.

Vineet Jindal, a Supreme Court advocate, wrote to the ICC, saying Rizwan offering prayers during the match raises questions about the spirit of the game.

He also stated that Rizwan's act on the cricket field amid many Indians was symbolic of the intentional depiction of his religion, which stands against the spirit of the sports and the Pakistani player was purposely depicting his religion.

Rizwan also had put himself in a controversial cauldron following his match-winning hundred against Sri Lanka also. He had dedicated his knock to the people of Gaza, which violated the dos and don'ts laid by the cricket’s governing body.

Pakistan Head Coach Mickey Arthur also raised a stink during the World Cup when he made some comments in the context of the heckling of Pakistani cricketers including Rizwan with "Jai Sree Ram" chants during Baba Azam's side with Team India in Ahmedabad.

The Ahmedabad crowd's barbs were directed at Rizwan in the backdrop of him dedicating his Player of the Match to the people of Palestine.

Reacting to it, Arthur questioned the attitude of the Indian fans toward the Pakistan cricketers by saying," It didn't seem like an ICC event ... It seemed like a BCCI event. I didn't hear 'Dil Dil Pakistan' coming through the microphones too often ..."

In a very serious security breach, a Palestine supporter intruded the ground and hugged Virat Kohli during the final between India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

The accused was detained by Gujarat Police for invading the ground and wearing a T-shirt with a free Palestine slogan and a mask with a Palestinian flag colour theme.

Further commenting on these controversies, Kapil said that there are all kinds of people and one has the right to see the negative side of it and another the positive side, and move on in life.

"You will find all kinds of people. and not all kinds of people will be your type of people whatever you think is right. If you don't like to write about that, and if you like, appreciate that. That's it," he said. (UNI)