Kapil Dev Advocates for Family Support on Cricket Tours, Emphasizes Team Harmony

Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev has shared his views on the ongoing debate regarding family involvement during cricket tours, calling for a balanced approach between professional commitments and personal life. His remarks come in response to Virat Kohli’s recent comments about the importance of family presence, especially during intense tour schedules.

A BALANCED APPROACH

Kapil Dev highlighted the significance of family support while maintaining the unity of the team. He emphasized that while the final decision rests with the cricket board, players should be able to maintain both their professional and personal lives during tours.

“You need your family with you, but at the same time, the team should be together always,” Kapil Dev said while speaking to reporters. 

Reflecting on his own playing days, the 1983 World Cup-winning captain shared how players used to manage this balance. 

“In our time, we used to agree amongst ourselves that during the first half of the tour, the focus would be on cricket. The second half would allow families to join in and enjoy the experience. It was always about blending both aspects,” he explained.

VIRAT KOHLI ON FAMILY SUPPORT

Virat Kohli, speaking at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League, elaborated on how crucial it is for players to have family support. Kohli voiced his concern over the lack of understanding regarding the grounding effect that family can bring to a player’s mental and emotional well-being.

“It’s hard to explain how grounding it is to come back to your family after a challenging or intense phase in cricket. People often don’t understand the value of this,” Kohli remarked, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

He continued, “I feel disappointed because those who have no control over the situation are often placed at the center of the conversation, being told that players should be kept away from their families. It’s essential for me to be able to live a normal life alongside my cricket responsibilities. This balance allows me to return to my family and experience normalcy after fulfilling my commitment to the game.”

Kohli stressed that this balance creates a healthy divide between the intensity of cricket and the peace of family life, making the player feel truly grounded.

KAPIL DEV ON GOLF AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

In addition to discussing family support, Kapil Dev also touched upon his involvement with the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI). Expressing his enthusiasm for the sport’s growing popularity in India, he said, “It’s very exciting to be a part of the Professional Golf Tour of India. I’m thrilled that something new is happening in the world of sports. We want to bring more people to the golf course and grow the sport.”

Reflecting on cricket’s success, Kapil Dev acknowledged the role of the cricket board in helping the sport reach new heights, saying, “Cricket’s success today is because the cricket board has given players the platform to perform at the highest level.”

CONCLUSION

Kapil Dev’s perspective underscores the importance of balance in professional life, advocating for family support while ensuring the unity and focus of the team. His insights align with Virat Kohli's thoughts on the value of personal grounding, a sentiment that reflects the changing dynamics of modern-day cricket. Additionally, his enthusiasm for promoting golf in India shows his continued commitment to the growth of sports beyond cricket in the country.