Throwback: When Kapil Dev pointed fingers at Sunil Gavaskar for dropping him in 1984 Kolkata Test

Sunil Gavaskar, who was the first batsman to cross the 10,000-run mark in Test cricket, had led India across format from 1976 to 1985. But, there were still a few moments in his career when Gavaskar found himself embroiled in controversies.

One of the instances took place in 1984 when the 1983-World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev was dropped from the team for the Kolkata Test against England. Under Gavaskar’s leadership, India went on to win the game by 8 wickets. Back then, it was reported that Kapil was dropped by Gavaskar due to his poor performance. On being asked about the same in an interaction, Gavaskar said that it was a myth that has been spread’ for a long time.

“As far as Kapil Dev is concerned, this has been something a myth that has been spread for a long, long time. I did not propose dropping Kapil Dev. I was part of the selection committee as the Indian captain and as the Indian captain, I can join the selection committee I do not have a voting right. I'm just co-opted to the selection committee. The proposed action to drop Kapil there was proposed by somebody else, another selector,” Gavaskar told Sports Today.

His circle of friends was different: Sunil Gavaskar

It is well known that both of these legends did not share a great bond between them, and there are always some or other controversies going around them. Gavaskar said that a lot has been spoken about his relationship with Kapil Dev but the two share a mutual respect for each other.

“Yes, there was there were all kinds of canards being spread around that time about the relationship between Kapil and myself. We are we have always had a relationship of mutual respect. It still is one of mutual respect. His circle of friends was different. He was 10 years younger than me his circle of friends even now is different."

"But that doesn't mean that you know, we don’t like each other or whatever it is, it was just spread and sadly it has remained much in the same case that there is talk about two of our stalwarts in the current Indian team as well as that they don’t get along,” Gavaskar said.