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Dubai: It was a special day for the Indian High School pupils on Sunday.
Kapil Dev, the cricketing legend, who captained India to World Cup victory in 1983 visited their school, mixed freely and spoke at length to pupils. He shared the little known facts about him and the qualities that made him one of the greatest allrounders of the era.
When Dev walked into the school's cricket ground flanked by school's Principal and CEO Ashok Kumar and Dr Tapan Das, the Physical Education director, the whole institution erupted into a loud applause.
The school had arranged a match between Kapil Dev XI and Indian High School XI. Dev conducted the toss and signed autographs. His visit was arranged by a charity organisation named 'Right To Play'.
"It's always a great feeling to visit a school. It reminds me of my schooling days. Believe it or not, though I played for nearly 20 years for my country, the school days were the best days of my life," he said.
Frank views
Dev, who is known for his honesty and frank views, asked the pupils never to consider education as a responsibility. "When you study, always study hard. When you play, play very hard. Never be confused. Don't think of playing when you are studying and when you are playing, don't think of your studies." He received a standing applause for this statement.
Dev reminded that he became successful as a player because he considered sports as fun. "I enjoyed every moment that I played. It is determination, dedication and discipline that can take you to the top," he reminded.
Dev then went on to answer questions. When a boy said his name is Singh, he jokingly asked whether he is Singh is Kinng (the latest Bollywood movie).
When Dev named Dhoni as his favourite cricketer, he got a huge applause. "Why I like Dhoni is because of the way he plays and the way he conducts himself. He is forthright and takes his team ahead. He is not selfish and that is why I love him."
Asked to comment about the youngsters in the Indian team, he said: "The youngsters in the Indian team will have to work hard to push the seniors out and secure their place. Don't forget that someone too had thrown me out and one day one among you must take that seat and announce you have arrived."
Dev, who is the chairman of the Indian Cricket League, was also asked to comment on the popular Indian Premier League, and he shrewdly quipped: "Everybody should have his own space in this world. IPL is doing a great job but if anyone says there should not be any other school other than Indian High School, then it is wrong. Sports is an education and it should be available for everyone."
To a boy who asked how did he feel on captaining India to the pinnacle of sporting history, he asked back: "Have you ever come first in a class? I experienced the same feeling."
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