The drama continues in Indian cricket. BCCI is desperate to keep its tight grip on Indian cricket whereas ICL hopes to give the six-team league a foothold in the India market. We have been hearing a lot about Indian Cricket League (ICL).
BCCI bosses are not happy with ICL. They are not even ready to recognize ICL and trying their best to derail ICL.
Ponting: ICL may lure cricketers into early retirement
Ricky Ponting has hit out at the proposed Indian Cricket League (ICL), saying the million-dollar series threatens to tempt ageing cricketers into early retirement while luring youngsters away from national duty.
“It’s only a concern if there is huge money involved in it. If this sort of stuff gets off the ground, these guys won’t even be playing with their mates, they’ll be thrown into made-up teams. You’ll be out there by yourself and trying to win some money,” Ponting was quoted as saying by the Herald Sun.
Join ICL and face life ban, warns BCCI
BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah says, “Our stand is very clear. Players who take part in the ICL will never be eligible to play for the country again. It is up to the players to decide what they want to do. The ban would also be applicable for young players who have not played for the country yet”
ICL hits back at the BCCI for threatening
The Indian Cricket League hit back at the BCCI for threatening to impose a life ban on players aligning with the rebel body, saying the BCCI was a private organisation and had no right to issue such directions.
Essel Group Chairman Subhash Chandra says, “BCCI is nobody to give such a direction. It is a private body. The ICL will be a reality and the people will come to watch the matches”
Bharat Reddy joins ICL
Former India stumper Bharath Reddy has resigned from Chemplast to join the Indian Cricket League (ICL). Reddy had been associated with Chemplast for close to 25 years, first as a player and then a manager.
Reddy said, “Recognising and grooming talent is my forte. It is simply helping budding talent realise their potential, and in that process, giving the players ample opportunities, without bias. India has plenty of hidden talent waiting to be given chances. I was approached by the ICL to assist them in their endeavour and I accepted the challenge”
ICC not to interfere in BCCI-ICL tussle
The International Cricket Council has taken a policy decision to let the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) independently handle the threat posed by rebel Indian Cricket League. The ICL was discussed by the executive board members and they decided to not interfere in a matter which they felt was an internal matter of the Indian board. The board members reposed confidence in the Indian board and its ability to handle the issue and any threat posed by the ICL to the ICC future tours programme.
Former Bangladesh captains express interest in ICL
Former Bangladesh captains Habibul Bashar and Khaled Mahmud have expressed interest in participating in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) if they are offered contracts approved by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
When Mohammad Rafique, the left-arm spinner, was asked whether there was any possibility of his joining the ICL, he said, “Let them offer me a contract, then I will think about it.”
Akhtar,Afridi and Asif rejected ICL offer amid PCB threatenings
Pakistani cricketers Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Asif have all rejected lucrative offers from the Indian Cricket League. Inzamam hasn’t taken any decision yet. Earlier, PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf said any player going there would not be playing for Pakistan.
BCCI is scared of ICL : Bedi says
Bishen Singh Bedi says, “The BCCI cannot ban players for playing in the league. Suppose you are working for a company and join another after some time, your former employers cannot stop you from earning your livelihood. That’s illegal. Cricket is not their personal property and they have no right to stop anybody from joining this league. Actually the board is scared that if the ICL turns out to be a well organised event, then their own failures would be exposed”.
Marvan Atapattu (in ICL Radar) released from central contract
Marvan Atapattu, the former Sri Lanka captain, has been released from his central contract with Sri Lanka cricket (SLC), as per his earlier request.The speculation is that Atapattu’s decision has come about because his name has been linked with the Indian Cricket League (ICL).
