Calcutta: Kapil Dev, who captained India to glory in the 1983 World Cup, a victory which changed the face of cricket in the country, will be present during Wednesday's high-on-profile function to commemorate the "life and times" of Mansur Ali Khan 'Tiger' Pataudi.

The function, at a five-star property in New Delhi, is in the Silver Jubilee Year of the Bishan Bedi Cricket Coaching Trust.

Tiger was the Trust's Founding chief patron.

Bedi who, like Tiger is a former captain of India, is the one who has put together the function. However, as has been the trend for some years, there is an event manager as well.

According to Bedi, a host of other former captains (and Virat Kohli, the current one) have also been invited.

While a few have confirmed their attendance, some have expressed regrets and a few hadn't responded till around 8.00 pm on Tuesday.

"Sunil Gavaskar is, I think, overseas and he conveyed his regrets. Dilip Vengsarkar and Krishnamachari Srikkanth did likewise...

"Ajit Wadekar has, sadly, pulled out just a few hours ago...

"We're yet to hear from, say, Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni...

"Virat too hasn't replied as yet," Bedi told The Telegraph.

Bedi added: "We'd be happy to host all the Trust's invitees, but it's fine... All part of the game."

Besides Bedi himself and Kapil, Gundappa Viswanath and Mohammed Azharuddin are the former captains of India who will be present.

Yuvraj Singh, Madanlal, Aunshuman Gaekwad, Syed Kirmani, Roger Binny, Kirti Azad, Atul Wassan and Ashish Nehra are among those expected to be in attendance.

Like Wadekar, Arun Lal has pulled out on the eve of the function. His mother, who stays in Kapurthala, is very ill.

When one spoke to Lal at about 9.15 pm, he said: "I'm with my mother... She is a little better, but fingers crossed."