Calcutta: The Indian Premier League (IPL) players’ auction became the No.1 news on Wednesday, but it’s Kapil Dev’s rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) which was first off the blocks. The talismanic Kapil, India’s only (full-fledged) World Cup-winning captain, spoke to The Telegraph from New Delhi on Thursday afternoon.

The following are excerpts

Reaction to the auction

As a former player, I’m very happy that the present-day cricketers have got so much money… However, I’m a little uncomfortable with this whole business of auctioning players… To my mind, they are priceless. Can somebody, for example, put a price on a Sachin Tendulkar? You can’t put them out like vegetables in a market… Even if an auction was to have been done, nothing should’ve been made public. You can differ, but that’s my view. (Adds laughing) Perhaps, I’m from the old school.

On his reasons for wanting things to be hush-hush

Good reasons… Chiefly so that a Zaheer Khan doesn’t feel he deserved more than X or Y or that his base price should’ve been higher… Many examples can be cited… Some of the young batsmen have got phenomenal sums, but does that mean their contribution has been more than those who’ve consistently delivered over a number of years? I’m not grudging anybody anything, but it’s a question which definitely needs to be asked.

Surprised at the millions spent at the auction

No, not at all… I think too little was spent, probably because of a behind-the-scenes understanding on a cap… (After a pause) If the models being used in soccer or basketball or baseball overseas have been copied, then the players should actually be getting say 20 per cent of the revenue… If it’s a business, then the players are the business and they must receive a share of the revenue instead of a price being put against their name… That way, then, a Sachin would probably be getting ten times more than what he’s assured of (around Rs 4.5 crore).

The IPL creating a much bigger buzz than the ICL

The media, I think, is getting carried away… Much has been made of the business model of the IPL, but why was it not used to lift the Ranji Trophy and the Duleep Trophy and the Challenger Trophy? The top players from overseas should’ve been allowed to play… After the auction, will players still be interested in the Ranji Trophy? Or, for that matter, the Challenger Trophy? They’ll look to make headlines in Twenty20 tournaments… Is it actually so that the players who’ve been reluctant to play in tournaments like the limited overs Challenger Trophy are that enthusiastic now about Twenty20 cricket? Well, it’s all about money then… Don’t get me wrong, I’m not critical of money coming the players’ way... They don’t have to beg today, but I’m concerned about what will happen to the Ranji Trophy after three years… How are we going to select players for Test cricket? Where exactly will they come from? Kahan se?

On the concept of city teams

The ICL is also city-driven, but I fear that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will soon be run by the owners of the eight IPL teams… The IPL is a business for them and, to keep it healthy, they could go to any length. Mark my words.

The business model

It’s simple: You look at what you’re spending and the returns you expect. Main bhi thoda business karta hoon, so I know a few things.

Whether the IPL will now finish his ICL

Why? If there’s one Rupee in the market, at least some portion of that will come to the ICL… As for the players, when somebody is ready (in terms of skills and in the mind) to play for the country, nobody can stop him from doing so… Had a (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni come on board, could he have been barred from representing India? Kaun rokta?

His dream Twenty20 XI

Haven’t thought of it… Today, I’m concerned at the direction Indian cricket is taking… Concerned about who will represent India after three years or so.

Finally, on the BCCI stopping the pensions of all those associated with the ICL

I’ve gone to court because of the principle involved, not the amount… It could be about one Rupee, that’s not the issue… The matter is sub judice and, so, I wouldn’t like to say anything more.