Leander Paes and Kapil Dev reunite for a night of sport, memory and mentorship

On a Sunday evening, the Calcutta Cricket and Football Club turned into more than just a cricket ground. As the third edition of the Dr Vece Paes Cup brought together sporting legends, the match between CC&FC and the Dr Vece Paes Invitational XI became a celebration of Kolkata’s enduring love for sport. Headlined by Leander Paes and Kapil Dev, alongside Yusuf Pathan and Kirti Azad, the evening balanced nostalgia with the present.

Baba is here with us: Leander Paes

For Leander Paes, the occasion was deeply personal. “It means the world to my mother, my daughter, my sisters, and to me that all of you are here to celebrate in the name of sport and in honour of my Baba,” he said, adding, “When I was walking in, my mother said, ‘Baba is with us today.’ Being on this field, where he played for years, makes this club our home.” Reflecting on his childhood, he continued, “When I was a young boy, I grew up watching this hero (Kapil Dev) play because he won the World Cup, we youngsters felt we could win.”

Cricket has given me a life, but you move on: Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev reflected on India’s sporting evolution. “If the nation has to be strong, you have to build sportsmen and women and a sporting culture. In the last 15–20 years, everybody has moved towards sports.” He reserved special praise for Kolkata and said, “I used to say the best spectators were from this part of the country. Now I say this part is producing sportspeople too.” Speaking about life after cricket, he said, “Cricket has given me a life, but you move on. If you miss it, that means you never move on in life. Just go, express yourself and enjoy yourself—that’s more important.”

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