NEW DELHI, Jan 25: Former India captain Kapil Dev has expressed fears about the Indian Premier League (IPL) leaving traditional cricket in danger of being wiped off.

“I have nothing against the IPL or for that matter any venture that brings more and more money into the game but I am worried cricket at some stage would become all about money and nothing else,” said the legendary cricketer in response to the announcements of bids for the IPL teams by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“I am really concerned if there would be interest left for Ranji and Duleep Trophy matches, Irani Cup or matches involving juniors. This way you are luring players into a world where the dazzle of big money can create a disturbing influence,” he warned.

“The BCCI is not interested in promoting cricket. The essence is purely on making more and more money and in the process cricket has been left behind. I don’t think cricket is anymore a priority with the BCCI.

“It reduced cricket to business and that I think is a dangerous trend. The BCCI can’t become a business house. Its prime duty is to promote cricket and the IPL is certainly not the best way to do that. What is there for junior cricketers?” he asked.

Kapil wanted to know what the BCCI officials had done to improve the game’s infrastructure in the country, saying: “No one is bothered about state of the grounds or quality of the pitches. If the IPL helps in improving the condition of cricket I would welcome it but here the talk is only of money.–Agencies