ICL Information

Twenty-five years ago, Indian cricket enjoyed its greatest moment — the World Cup win. But now, even as a member of that team, the legendary Sunil Gavaskar plans a gala celebration at Lord’s to mark the occasion, there is a controversy brewing.

Can the BCCI be involved in an event that involves men who have crossed over to the breakaway Indian Cricket League?

The letter written by yesteryear’s Little Master, Sunil Gavaskar, would have been nothing more than an invite to a celebration if it had been sent a year or so ago.

In the letter, Gavaskar tells his his team-mates that he has booked the long room at Lord’s for the celebration and goes on to say:

“I do believe this is a great time for reflection, nostalgia and getting together to celebrate 25 years of India’s greatest cricketing achievement. I am writing to request you to make yourself available for the celebrations and the banquet at Lord’s. I look forward to your positive response so that we can get together and relive those wonderful moments,” Gavaskar writes in the letter.

However, Kapil Dev — who led the team to victory in 1983 — is now the Chairman of the rebel Indian Cricket League. And Kapil Dev, along with three other members of the victorious team, is at loggerheads with the BCCI.

The board now faces an embarrassing choice — ignore the celebration, or share a platform with a man who has challenged their monopoly. Not surprisingly, they aren’t quite sure about what to do.

“We should not just thrive on our 1983 win. We must try to win more World Cups,” is Board Secretary Niranjan Shah’s retort.

But for the men who were part of this grand occasion, this is a time to put the bad blood behind, at least for a day.

“The 1983 World Cup will always be special, will always be in every Indian’s heart. So I’m sure that the board will definitely celebrate it in a big way themselves,” says Krishnamachari Srikkanth.

“When we won the World Cup in ‘83, there was no ICL, there was no IPL. They should think above everything and invite everyone. I think they should behave like an elder brother in this case,” suggests Yashpal Sharma.

Perhaps the ‘Little Master’ will have to bring all his diplomatic skills to the fore to bring the warring parties together.

Source:http://www.ibnlive.com

India’s cricket legend Kapil Dev has said that the Indian Premier League is run by businessmen unlike his Indian Cricket League (ICL) which is managed by cricketers.

“ICL is any day better than IPL as it is the cricketers who are behind it, not businessmen as is the case with IPL,” he said.

Kapil, who is currently embroiled in a court case with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for stopping his pension and other benefits, also said ICL doesn’t feel threatened by IPL roping in big names for its Twenty20 event.

“All I can say is that it will be a good competition among the boys,” he said.

Asked why he thinks the board is creating so much ruckus on players joining the ICL, the only World-Cup-winning India captain quipped: “What can I say about that? If you have a headache, then you are the best person to mull it over. Only BCCI can answer the question why it is so paranoid.”

When the talk veered to fast bowling with young Indian pace men like Ishant Sharma redefining the Indian attack, Kapil, the first Indian bowler to cross the 400-wicket mark in Tests, said it is important for the fast bowlers to protect themselves from injuries.

“For fast bowlers, it is very important that they take care of their health. They should be careful about injuries, the worst that can happen to a bowler,” he said.

On Yuvraj Singh’s lack of form, one of the greatest all-rounders of the game said it is important to perform consistently to cement your place in the team.

“To have your place in the team, it is important that you perform. If you play well then nobody can take you out of the side, but if you can’t perform then nobody can save you,” he said.

Source:http://www.newkerala.com

The Indian Cricket League (ICL) today received a shot in the arm with eight Pakistani players, including Mohammad Sami and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, joining the Essel Group-backed venture.

Apart from Sami and Naved, Mushtaq Ahmed, Humayun Farhat, Shahid Nazir, Hasan Raza, Imran Nazir and Riaz Afridi also joined the rebel league which already boasts of names like Brian Lara, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Chris Cairns and Craig McMillan.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome these players to the ICL family. These talented and experienced cricketers will definitely be a great source of learning for the youngsters who will play with them,” Chairman of the ICL Executive Board Kapil Dev said in a statement.

“Under their guidance, the ICL players will develop skills comparable to the best of international cricketing talent,” he added.

The former India captain also hinted that some other players would join the league soon.

“We are in talks with some of the finest players in the cricketing arena. The announcement for the same will be made shortly.

“At ICL, it’s our endeavour to showcase the best of Indian talent and to provide them with the best of facilities to help enhance the talent,” Kapil said.

Though there was no official confirmation about spinners Saqlain Mushtaq and Arshad Khan, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sources said the duo have already signed contracts with the ICL.

ICL had earlier netted Inzamam, Imran Farhat, Abdul Razzaq, Shabbir Ahmed, Taufiq Umar and Azhar Mahmood for its rebel league. All of them have been banned from playing in domestic cricket in Pakistan, a decision they are likely to challenge soon in the court.

The ban did affect Farhat, Umar, Shabbir and Razzaq who were active on the first class scene.

One of the players, who did not wish to be named, said the decision for him to join the ICL was not a difficult one.

“The selectors and Board have not been fair with me although I have performed consistently in domestic cricket.

“Secondly, I see no future for myself in the national team and thirdly, the money offered by ICL is very good and an insurance for the future,” he said.

He also believed that, sooner or later, the PCB and other ICC member boards would have to soften their stance on the ICL

Source:http://www.outlookindia.com

The Board of Control for Cricket in India today said it was not quite interested in reacting to a statement by former captain Kapil Dev that the BCCI’s Indian Premier League would sound the death knell of such domestic tournaments as the Ranji Trophy and the Deodhar Trophy.
“We don’t want to react to what he has said,” the BCCI secretary, Mr Niranjan Shah, said, but some other board sources wondered how the driving force behind the Essel Group’s Indian Cricket League criticised the IPL.
“We want to know how Kapil Dev’s ICL is not spoiling domestic cricket and the IPL would do so. It’s a totally illogical statement. He’s a frustrated man,” they said.
“Now that the BCCI has sold the eight (IPL) teams, it is to be seen what will happen to the states and institutions affiliated to it,” Kapil earlier said.
“What will happen to state players is another question. No one will want to play in the Ranji Trophy or the Deodhar Trophy. We do not know what would happen to these traditional events.”

Source:http://www.thestatesman.net