Former India captain Kapil Dev has suggested that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should buy its own plane to reduce fatigue of the cricketers. The 1983 World Cup winning skipper said the BCCI can easily afford a plane and that it will help "make life easier for Team India".
"Now that BCCI is making good money, it should have its own plane. It will save a lot of time and make life easier for Team India. The board can afford it. They should have done it five years ago," Kapil told the Times of India.
Kapil also said that he would love to see some of the Indian cricketers buying their personal jets in the days to come. Citing an example of top golfers in the United States who prefer to travel in their private planes, Kapil said there is no reason why Indian cricketers can't buy their personal aircraft for travel as it will save them a lot of time.
"I would also love to see some cricketers buying their own aircraft in the days to come. In the US, top golfers have their own planes. I don't see any reason why our players can't buy it as it will save them a lot of time. I also believe that if BCCI owns planes, the players will get enough rest between matches. I am sure BCCI can also afford the parking charges," he said.
According to Airbus, an A318 which can carry up to 132 passengers will cost around 75.9 million USD (INR 500 crore) - something which the BCCI can easily afford to buy.
The 58-year-old legendary all-rounder said he was in favour of allowing the Indian cricketers to play in T20 leagues across the world.
"This is the reason why a players' association is important. I completely agree with BCCI that if a player is contracted, he will have to obey BCCI. But if they are contracted, the Indian players should be allowed to play all over the world," said Kapil, who is part of the four-member committee that will help in the formation of a players' association as per the guidelines of the Justice Lodha panel.
He also said that players have a short career span and it would not be right to stop them from earning. "That is why a players' association is needed, to speak to those players to make them play in other T20 leagues. You need to educate the players and release them as and when required. You can't own a cricketer."
