Kapil Dev reacts to Pakistan’s non-inclusion in Kabaddi World Cup

India’s first World Cup-winning captain questions the inquiry of a reporter

India’s first World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev did not hold back his emotions on Tuesday when he was asked about Pakistan’s non-inclusion in the third edition of the Kabaddi World Cup.

The event, which was held in 2004 and 2007 previously, will feature 12 teams including India but there will be no Pakistan in the midst.

When asked why the neighbouring country was not invited to participate in the third edition of the World Cup, Kapil reacted with insolence: “If you are a Hindustani you should not ask this question at all. Is it the time to ask this question?”

The event will kick off in Ahmedabad on October 7 and Kapil was unveiling the India team jersey at a press conference when he said that as sportsmen they are ready to the extra mile if needed.

"Such things should be left to the government to decide,” he said. “As sportsmen representing the country, if we are told to jump into a pond, we will readily do it."

Kapil was referring to the incident where a Pakistan based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) was blamed for the attack on an Army Brigade Headquarters in the Uri area near the Line of Control (LoC) Sunday morning.

Eighteen Indian soldiers were killed by four militants as a result of the attack.

In reaction to the attack, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi moved to diplomatically isolate Pakistan as an immediate measure.

Chairing a meeting on Monday to review the situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir, Modi sought evidence of Pakistan’s involvement in the attacks to be presented to all major global fora, including the upcoming UN General Assembly, The Indian Express had reported.

Kapil Dev was quoted by DNA India