The long-running debate over whether national duty outweighs the glitz and money of franchise cricket resurfaced once again, and this time, Indian Kapil
Dev has offered a firm yet balanced perspective.
Speaking on the growing trend of players prioritising T20 leagues over international commitments, the 1983 World Cup-winning captain made his stance clear while acknowledging that the choice ultimately varies from person to person.
Kapil Dev stressed that representing the country should remain a player's highest honour, even though the lure of leagues like the IPL is undeniable. "I think every individual is different. Yes, everyone loves money and some players might give priority to the league. But I still feel that playing for India is more important than the IPL, but like I said everyone is entitled to their own opinions, they have their own thought process. So, good luck to them," he said at the launch of The 72, the League, a PGTI event in Delhi.
His comments come at a time when franchise cricket is increasingly influencing player availability across the world. The West Indies, in particular, have been the most affected by this shift. Over the past decade, several top Caribbean players have frequently chosen global T20 leagues over international duty. Their absences have often forced Cricket West Indies to field understrength teams in major bilateral series and even ICC events, contributing significantly to the decline of West Indies cricket.
The ripple effect of franchise commitments is now visible in Indian cricket too, even if on a smaller scale. Certain cricketers have managed their workloads in a way that ensures they are fully fit for the lucrative tournament by skipping national duty.
In some cases, players have opted out of bilateral assignments or national training camps to focus on recovery ahead of the IPL season. Such situations have sparked debate about priorities and professionalism, intensifying discussions about the need for stricter guidelines.
Growing Popularity Of Indian Golf
While speaking to MyKhel during the event, Kapil Dev also spoke about the growing popularity of golf in the country as it is heading in the right direction.
''It's heading in the right direction, day by day it's increasing. The top players are also coming down to play here and the people have shown great interest to see them. The DP World Golf Championship was very successful and would expect such tournaments to take place in the near future as well''.
