By calling on India to \u201cmove on\u201d from its political and security tensions with Pakistan, the 1983 World Cup-winning captain ignited a storm of outrage, with netizens and public figures alike branding him \u201cout of touch,\u201d \u201canti-Indian,\u201d and a \u201cloose cannon\u201d who has lost credibility with the people.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In an interview with a news channel, Kapil downplayed the team\u2019s refusal to shake hands with Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi or accept the trophy from him. \u201cI think when they (Team India) didn\u2019t shake hands, it was fine. Shaking hands is not a big thing\u2026 You can\u2019t linger on for these type of things. You have to finish. You have to move on. Let the government do that job. Let the politician do that job. Our job was to make an impact or make a dent, which I think the Indian team did \u2013 not once but three times,\u201d Kapil said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But his comments struck a raw nerve. Many felt the former cricketer\u2019s \u201cpreachy neutrality\u201d ignored the decades of bloodshed India has endured due to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Lieutenant General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon (Retd) slammed Kapil for his \u201csoft corner\u201d towards Pakistan. \u201cAbsolutely disagree with Kapil Dev, with utmost & due respect. This neighbour is a terrorist state & his terrorists are killing our civilians and soldiers. Let\u2019s keep them where they belong \u2013 down there. Period. Jai Hind,\u201d he wrote on X.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Lieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey (Retd) went further, accusing Kapil of being disconnected from reality. \u201c@therealkapildev is living in la la land,\u201d he wrote, blaming such attitudes for shielding the younger generation from harsh truths, leaving them vulnerable to radicalisation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Venture capitalist and political analyst Tehseen Poonawala was scathing, reminding Kapil that Pakistani terrorists would not spare even him. \u201cWith respect Kapil Dev ji\u2026 on April 22, if you would have been in Pahalgam, the Pakistan terrorists would have slaughtered you on the basis of your name. Sorry sir, INDIA does not carry out terror attacks in Pakistan. Please drop this idea of talking to Pakistan! They want to NUKE us!!\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai minced no words either, dismissing Kapil as an \u201cirrelevant has-been\u201d spewing \u201canti-national drivel.\u201d He wrote, \u201cThe unfortunate reality is that Kapil Dev is now an irrelevant has-been, whose discomfort with the new system is nothing more than a rejection of Indian pride under Modi\u2019s India. Kapil Dev can take his views and go to hell \u2013 or Pakistan \u2013 whatever he prefers.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The uproar has been equally fierce among ordinary citizens online, with thousands dubbing him a \u201cloose cannon\u201d who no longer represents Indian sentiment. \u201cWe expected him to uphold national dignity, not sound like a Pakistan sympathiser,\u201d one user wrote, echoing the majority sentiment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai minced no words either, dismissing Kapil as an \u201cirrelevant has-been\u201d spewing \u201canti-national drivel.\u201d He wrote, \u201cThe unfortunate reality is that Kapil Dev is now an irrelevant has-been, whose discomfort with the new system is nothing more than a rejection of Indian pride under Modi\u2019s India. Kapil Dev can take his views and go to hell \u2013 or Pakistan \u2013 whatever he prefers.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Whether Kapil will stand by his controversial stance or attempt damage control remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: his comments have shaken his public image to the core, leaving many wondering if India\u2019s once-beloved cricket hero has turned into an unpredictable liability \u2013 a true \u201cloose cannon.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n