'Patriotic' Kapil Dev blasting journo over Pak query deserves slow clap!

Enraged Kapil Dev lays into TV journalist who provoked him by asking about Pakistan's not being invited for the Kabaddi World Cup in India

Former Indian cricket captain and honorary member of the Indian Army Lieutenant Colonel Kapil Dev holds a mortar as he takes part in an introductory military training course in New Delhi in February 2009. Dev was given the rank of honorary Lieutenant after joining the Territorial Army voluntarily in September 2008. Pic/AFP

Indians are all riled up over the massive terror strike that killed 18 brave soldiers at an army camp in the garrison town of Uri on Sunday. More than three-fifth of Indians support use of military force to defeat the scourge of terrorism, according to a latest Pew Survey released on Monday. Twitterati have also made their feelings known by venting their rage on the social media site urging India to teach Pakistan a 'lesson' for the terror attack.

In such a scenario, it but natural that people will be more hypersensitive about certain issues.

On Tuesday, a TV journalist, who seemed to be fully aware of the situation, provoked a sharp response from cricket legend Kapil Dev. The former India skipper lost his cool at a Kabaddi World Cup media conference in Mumbai, where he was the chief guest, after a reporter 'fingered' him, most probably seeking a catchy headline.

The scribe asked Kapil why Pakistan had not been invited to take part in the tournament to be held from October 7 in Ahmedabad.

This enraged Kapil, who blasted the reporter. "If you are a Hindustani you should not ask the question at all. Is it the time to ask this question?" he asked fuming, obviously referring to the deadly fidayeen attack by militants suspected to be from Pakistan-based JeM on Sunday at Uri.

Kapil, who unveiled the Indian team's jersey at the conference, then said in a slightly more calmer tone, "Such things should be left to the government to decide. As sportsmen representing the country if we are told to jump into a pond, we will readily do it."

Well, we for one applaud the legend for wearing his heart on his sleeve, but would have loved it even more if he had not let the journalist get to him.

Former cricketer Kapil Dev along with kabaddi player Dharmaraj Cheralathan during unveiling of kabaddi team jersey in Mumbai on Tuesday. Pic/PTI

Twelve teams, including India, are to take part in the third edition of the tournament and the list does not include Pakistan. The tournament had been held in 2004 and 2007 prior to the upcoming edition.