Kapil Dev on India-Pakistan row: Players have to follow government decision
Former India captain Kapil Dev has said Indian cricketers have little choice but to follow the government’s position on interactions with Pakistani players, amid the controversies involving the two countries in cricket.
The comments come after the Indian women’s team refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi following their 72-run win over Sri Lanka in the final. The incident has once again brought the strained sporting relationship between India and Pakistan into focus.
“If the government has taken a decision not to shake hands with Pakistani players, then the players have no choice. In such matters, players will go by what the government says,” Kapil Dev told India Today.
The Indian players completed their celebrations on the field after the victory, before head coach Amol Muzumdar addressed the squad. The team then went through its medal ceremony, with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and vice-president Rajeev Shukla presenting the fielding medal to Nandani Sharma.
Saikia also congratulated the players on their title-winning campaign, while Naqvi was seen interacting with other dignitaries as preparations for the official presentation continued. Naqvi later presented the runners-up cheque to Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu. The broadcast ended shortly after Athapaththu spoke to former Sri Lanka cricketer Farvez Maharoof, leaving the trophy presentation involving India out of the live feed.
Kapil Dev also spoke about former Pakistan captain and Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi since 2023 after being convicted in corruption cases.
“Imran Khan deserves humane treatment. That is our basic demand,” Kapil Dev said.
Khan’s prolonged detention and reported health concerns have prompted calls from his family and former cricketers for proper care. On August 23, 22 former international captains wrote to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging better facilities and the restoration of court-ordered weekly family visits.
The letter also called for a Supreme Court-ordered medical board, including doctors chosen by Khan, to conduct an independent assessment of his health and for any recommended treatment to be provided without delay. Former Pakistan cricketers Javed Miandad, Wasim Akram and Moin Khan have also spoken out, while Australia captain Pat Cummins has called for Khan to be treated with dignity.- EndsPublished By: sabyasachi chowdhuryPublished On: Sep 18, 2026 16:39 IST
