Pawar & Co invitees to Sunny’s bash

Gavaskar says there was never a question of not inviting BCCI office-bearers to Lord’s

MUMBAI: Seems it’s now all lovey-dovey between the Indian cricket board and Kapil’s Devils.

Contrary to speculations that BCCI officials weren’t being invited to the 25th anniversary celebrations of India’s 1983 World Cup triumph at Lord’s on June 25, Sunil Gavaskar confirmed to DNA on Wednesday that invites were going out to all office-bearers of the BCCI.

“We can’t extend an invitation to everyone in the BCCI so we will stick to the office-bearers. Invites are going out to president Sharad Pawar, secretary Niranjan Shah and other office bearers. Prof Ratnakar Shetty (Board’s chief administrative officer) too has been invited,” Gavaskar told DNA.

When asked if the decision to invite Pawar & Co was taken following the BCCI’s decision to felicitate the 1983 World Cup-winning team in New Delhi on June 22, Gavaskar said: “Even if they hadn’t decided to raise a toast to the team, they would have been invited to Lord’s. The function in New Delhi was initially an initiative of the sponsors but now the BCCI has taken over the event.”

The batting legend added: “It is great that the Indian board has decided to felicitate the team and recognise the achievement. The BCCI is the parent body and we are all delighted to have them as part of the celebrations.” Gavaskar said he didn’t think the BCCI was reluctant to felicitate the team. “We were celebrating on June 25 and initially, as far as my knowledge goes, the ICC’s annual conference was to be held from June 26. (It is now to be held from June 29 to July 4 in Dubai) There was a clash of dates,” he said. Gavaskar’s sports management company, PMG, is actively involved in organising the Lord’s bash.

Kapil Dev, who is now chairman of the Indian Cricket League’s (ICL) executive board, said he had no issues. “I have no fight with anybody. I respect the BCCI and its officials and have regard for them. I played for India and we won the World Cup. I am happy they are part of the celebrations,” he told DNA.

However, the World Cup skipper was quick to add that the decision of the BCCI to felicitate the team will have no bearing on the ICL’s activities. “I will continue to do whatever I can for the betterment of cricket,” he said. “I am not a ‘yes man’ and I don’t see any reason why I should not follow my heart.”

Gavaskar said all 14 members of the World Cup-winning squad, plus team manager PR Man Singh, would be at Lord’s, where a grand dinner on the evening of June 25 will round off the celebrations.

As on date none of the West Indians from Clive Lloyd’s team that lost by 43 runs at Lord’s are likely to be present. “It will be like rubbing salt into their wounds,” Gavaskar said in a lighter vein. Recalling the victory, he said: “It was like a blur. My favourite memory was of Kapil lifting the World Cup.”

For Kapil’s Devils and a whole generation of cricket fans, June 25 will be a very sweet trip down memory lane.