In a surprising turn of events, the absence of former cricket captain Kapil Dev from the grand final match of the World Cup has sparked controversy and raised eyebrows across social media platforms. Sanjay Raut, a prominent MP from the Thackeray group, has launched a scathing attack on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), alleging that political interference played a role in sidelining the hero of India’s first World Cup triumph.
Raut expressed his disappointment, stating that the exclusion of Kapil Dev and the 1983 World Cup-winning team from the invitation list was a deliberate move to prevent their presence from overshadowing other political leaders attending the event. The MP suggested that a political lobby, particularly linked to the Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium, was attempting to seize credit for the World Cup victory.
“Had Kapil Dev come, the fame of some would have been eclipsed,” remarked Raut, questioning the BCCI’s decision to not extend an invitation to the legendary cricketer for the World Cup 2023 final.
“The captain and the team of the first world-winning team were not invited. There is no invitation because it would have eclipsed the fame of other political leaders,” Raut added, raising concerns about the intrusion of politics into cricket.
The MP further criticized the political overtones surrounding the final, noting that the match shifted focus from India vs. Australia to BJP vs. Australia. Raut emphasized that despite India’s loss in the final, it was important to appreciate the team’s efforts and extend congratulations, steering away from personal criticism.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party unfortunately lost its way,” Raut commented, addressing the post-result political arrangements that seemed to overshadow the game itself.
Mumbai, known as the cricketing cradle, found itself at the center of the controversy, with Raut highlighting the city’s rich history in the sport and questioning the naming of the stadium, originally Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium, after Narendra Modi.
As the sports community grapples with the fallout from the World Cup final, the controversy surrounding Kapil Dev’s absence adds a layer of intrigue to the aftermath of a closely watched and passionately contested cricketing event.
