Kapil da jawaab nahi: After revolutionizing cricket, former Indian captain turns attention to golf, plans to make it pan India

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The man who played a major role in revolutionizing cricket more than four decades ago continues to boost other sports in India.

This time to make golf richer and better in terms of experience and draw more youngsters to the game, just like he did with cricket by winning the 1983 World Cup for India, Kapil Dev, who heads Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), is leaving no stone unturned.

Not just his experience as a golfer that he is putting into use but also his business acumen and innovative ideas to draw more crowds and sponsors towards the game.

As if the Lohri festival wasn't enough. While celebrating the peak of winter afternoon in his own style in Delhi's own Golf Club, Kapil paaji, as he is affectionately called, the age-old crowd puller was at it again. As starters, he called all his media friends and none of them disappointed him, as media from all organizations came in larger numbers to witness the announcement of the "lucrative and action packed first half of 2025 PGTI season".

Never mind the sub-head from the press release that used words like lucrative. The fact of the matter is that if there is Kapil Dev, action begins straight away. Like those Bollywood blockbuster movie lines from Deewar that came from superstar Amitabh Bachchan's portrayed character in the film - "Hum Jahan Khade Ho Jaate Hain, Line Wahi Se Shuru Hoti Hain". And then, the fight scene begins.

Fortunately, there is no fight scene here like we saw in Deewar just because the press release says "action-packed". It is action-packed because the prize money is much bigger and better. Thanks to some of his sponsors like Victorious Choice, Calance, Indorama Ventures and many more to come, a combined kitty of over Rs 15 crore "on offer" with three events scheduled for 11 consecutive weeks, which kicks off in the City of Joy - Kolkata - things are looking extremely positive. At least, Kapil paaji is on cloud nine with the start.

Why shouldn't he be? Like the way BCCI took Test cricket beyond the traditional venues like Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore, PGTI events are following the same charter like the gentleman's game. Only the myth has to be broken. Like cricket was only meant for the rich and famous till Kapil Dev took it to every nook and corner of this country, the champion captain is looking to do the same with golf like hosting one of the events in Chhattisgarh. No other than the deputy CM of Chhattisgarh Arun Sao vouched for the potential growth of golf in his state.

Who says that golf is expensive. Golf equipment like clubs, balls and devices are cheaper than cricket gear and the only expensive bit is diamond, which you can find in Chhattisgarh and Kapil knows about it. By his own admission, he loves diamonds but not as much he loves playing and promoting golf!