Kapil Dev Advocates For Family Support On Tours, Stresses Need For Balance

March 18, 2025: Former India captain Kapil Dev has weighed in on the ongoing debate about family involvement during cricket tours, stressing the need for a balance between team commitments and personal life. Kapil’s comments come after Virat Kohli’s recent remarks regarding the importance of family support, particularly when players face intense situations during tours.

Speaking to reporters, Kapil said, “That is the cricket board's call, but my opinion is that you need your family, and you also need the team with you all the time.” He reflected on his own playing days, where the approach was a mix of cricket focus and family time. “In our time, we used to say to ourselves—not by the cricket board—that in the first half, let us focus on cricket, and in the second half, families should join in and enjoy too. It should be a blend,” Kapil added.

Kapil’s perspective aligns with the sentiments shared by Virat Kohli at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit ahead of IPL 2025. Kohli had spoken about how grounding it is to return to family after intense situations on the field. “I want to be able to be normal. And then you can really treat your game as something that is a responsibility. You finish that responsibility, and you come back to life,” said Kohli, emphasizing the positive impact that family life has on a cricketer’s well-being.

Kohli further mentioned his disappointment over the lack of understanding about how family involvement plays a crucial role in a player’s mental and emotional state. "It is like people who have no control over what is going on are kind of brought into conversations and put out at the forefront that, 'oh, maybe they need to be kept away'," he said.

Kapil Dev also discussed his involvement with the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), expressing excitement over the sport’s growth in India. He remarked, “Very exciting to be a part of Professional Golf Tour of India. I am very excited that something new is happening. We can bring more people to the golf course...Today, cricket has reached a huge stage because the cricket board has given them the opportunity to play at the highest level.”

Both Kapil and Virat highlighted the importance of mental well-being, family support, and maintaining a balance between professional and personal lives. As the conversation around cricketers’ mental health continues to grow, their comments encourage a more holistic approach to sports careers, focusing on overall well-being beyond just performance on the field.