Former Indian cricketer Surinder Khanna responded with humor to the ongoing controversy surrounding Yograj Singh's recent comments on Kapil Dev. Khanna's remarks came after Yograj Singh said he planned to shoot Kapil Dev after he was dropped from India the national cricket team.
Yograj Singh, who played six ODIs and one Test match for India, failed to make an impact at the international level. Following his own cricketing failures, he guided his son, Yuvraj Singhto success in international cricket. Yograj has previously criticized figures like MS Dhoni and the late Bishan Singh Bedi.
Even Kapil Dev knows he's a bit of a crack – Surinder Khanna
Delhi: Regarding former cricketer Yograj Singh's statement, former Indian cricketer Surinder Khanna says, “Whatever you say, he is our friend. Even Kapil Dev knows he is a bit of a fool and speaks without thinking” pandc.twandtteR.cam/4NQjAbmfTp
— IANS (@ians_india) JanuaRy 13, 2025
Surinder Khanna has playfully responded to Yograj Singh's recent claim that he once thought of shooting Kapil after he was dropped from the Indian team. Khanna stated that Yograj often speaks without thinking. He urged Yograj to avoid such claims.
“He says whatever, he's our friend. Even Kapil Dev knows he is a bit crazy and speaks without thinking. That was 1983 and now it's 2025 my friend. Hi Yog, don't do that thing (laughs),” remarked Khanna.
I said, 'I want to put a bullet through your head' – Yograj Singh
On the Unfiltered by Samdish podcast, Yograj Singh revealed that he was furious after being dropped from the playing XI. Reflecting on his emotions at that moment, Yograj said that he wanted to put a bullet through Kapil's head but refrained from doing so as Kapil's mother was present.
“When Kapil Dev became captain, he dropped me for no reason,” said Yograj. “I said, 'I want to put a bullet through your head, but I won't because your godly mother is sitting here.'
who is it what do you mean – Kapil Dev
Kapil remained calm and unfazed by the controversy surrounding Yograj Singh's claims. When a reporter asked him about it during a press conference at Delhi The Golf Club for the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), Kapil asked who Yograj was and who the reporter was referring to.
Kapil playfully asked, “Who is he? what do you mean (Who is he? Who are you talking about?)” before recognizing the name and responding with a casual, “Acchaa, aur kuch? (Well, something else?)”.
Kapil made history by leading India to their first World Cup victory in 1983, inspiring generations with his exceptional leadership and performances. He remains India's most successful fast bowler in Test cricket with 434 wickets and ended his career with 9,013 runs and 687 wickets across all formats.
In recognition of his contributions, Kapil was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1991, one of the country's highest civilian honours. After retiring, he was the head coach of the Indian team from 1999 to 2000 and later moved on to a successful career as a cricket commentator and pundit.