‘If you are passionate, there shouldn't be any pressure’ - Kapil Dev opens up on IPL versus Nation debate

Legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev put a full stop to the debate over the intense pressure involved in IPL and across formats with his aggressive remarks. Regarded as one of the greatest all-rounder the world has ever seen, Kapil finished with more than 650 international wickets and 9000 international runs.  

His unbeaten 175 in ODIs was a testimony of his potential and not many bowlers could swing the ball like he did. In the present era, there has been a lot of talk around the mental toughness behind playing all three formats and franchise T20 leagues. While the teams have been opting for mental conditioning coach, Dev had a different verdict on it about the pressures involved.  

We played for enjoyment and where there's enjoyment, there can't be pressure: Kapil Dev 

Dev recalled his playing time when he used to play with a lot of passion and wasn’t happy with People confessing that IPL has a lot of pressure. He went on to note about his background of farming playing a part and added that enjoyment and pressure cannot be on the same page. 

"I had a passion to play. That was the difference. I would change the subject slightly. I hear a lot on TV these days. People say 'there's pressure, we play IPL, there's a lot of pressure'. I only say one thing, 'don't play'. What is this pressure? If you are passionate, there shouldn't be any pressure," Kapil told while speaking as a guest on the 'Champions of Aakash 2022' program, organised by an educational institute, Aakash BYJU's. 

"These 'American words' have come, be it pressure or depression. I don't understand this. I am a farmer. That's where I have come from. We played for enjoyment and where there's enjoyment, there can't be pressure,” he added.  Meanwhile, Kapil’s remarks seemed to have mixed reactions from the social media as even the fittest of players like Ben Stokes had retired from one format to extend his career," he added.