Legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev says the International Cricket Council cannot overlook the interests of Indian cricketers since it earns its major revenue from India.

"The ICC should give appropriate and adequate importance to Indian cricketers and ensure that their interests are duly protected," the former India skipper told newspersons in Siliguri on Monday.

He dismissed suggestions that he was provoked by a cricketer into filing the petition challenging the controversial ICC players' contract.

"There may be suggestions from different persons, but it was I who decided to stand by the side of the Indian cricketers," he declared.

Kapil, former BCCI chief N K P Salve, Madan Lal and others had filed the petition in the Delhi high court on Friday. The petition also seeks prohibiting the release of foreign exchange to Indian sponsors of the World Cup if the Indian players are debarred from the upcoming tournament in South Africa.

Kapil, who led India to its only World Cup triumph in 1983, said he is optimistic about the prospects of the current team.

"The only thing that the Indian players need to do is to believe in themselves, because they boast of some of the world's best players in their ranks."

The Wisden Indian cricketer of the century said skipper Sourav Ganguly is very talented and has the calibre to bring out the best in the team.

Pointing out that Sachin Tendulkar is still the world's best batsman, he said: "Sachin can play at any place in the batting order. It is the prerogative of the captain as to how to utilise his talent."