Despite being criticized by fans previously for his stance on pressure, India’s first WC-winning captain Kapil Dev once again touched upon the topic and requested for a change in perspective. Kapil Dev spoke about how players make a fuss about pressure while playing for the Indian cricket team and the Indian Premier League (IPL). He even said that no one has forced players to play, and they are free to leave.
Kapil mentioned that players should feel the pride to playing for the nation in a highly populated country and those who feel pressure should ‘open a banana stall or egg shop. He said,
Out of a country of 100 crores, 20 of you are playing and then you say you have pressure? Instead, say it’s a matter of pride. You are getting so much love from people. Learn to take that pride,”
“I keep hearing ‘We are playing the IPL. There is so much pressure.’ This word is so common, right? To them, I say ‘Don’t play’. Who is asking you to? There is pressure, but if you are playing at that level, you will be admired and abused. If you are afraid of abuses, then don’t play. You are representing the country and you have pressure? How is that possible?
“Pressure is an American word. If you don’t want to work, don’t. Is anyone forcing you? Jaa ke kele ki shop lagao. Ande becho ja ke. (Open a banana stall, go sell eggs). But when you have gotten an opportunity, why do you take it as pressure? Take it as pleasure and have fun with it. The day you start doing it, the job will appear easy. But if you call the same thing pressure, nothing good can come of it
