Kapil Dev bats for India-Pakistan cricket

Former Indian captain Kapil Dev says the resumption of sub-continental cricket links is a "a good development", adding: "Please dont bring politics in sports."

Interacting with media persons in the Taj city Tuesday at the 166th Anual Sports day of the prestigious St. Peter's College he said the Dec-Jan T20-ODI India-Paksitan series will help improve relations between the neighbours. (Also read: PCB sure of Indian hospitality)

The three One-dayers and two Twenty20 Internationals will see the arch-rivals clashing in a bilateral series after a five-year gap.

The matches will be played in between England's November-January series in India when the tourists return home for 15 days for the Christmas break, according to an agreement between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). (Also read: Inzamam praises efforts to resume bilateral cricket)

Kapil Dev said the Indian Test team for the England series will definitely miss V.V.S. Lakshman, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble, all of whom have retired in the recent past.

"It will be very difficult to fill the gaps."

At the same time, he was all praise for the new faces in the team.

Addressing the sports meet, Kapil Dev counselled parents to let children choose their own careers.

Parents should only be motivators, but should refrain from thrusting their own choices and expectations, he said.

A Dandia dance by more than a 1,000 students and Yoga exercises led by the principal, Father John Ferreira and a Yogacharya drew appreciation from the former Indian captain.