The flip-flop of BCCI over the Indian Cricket League continues, whereas Railway Minister and Bihar Cricket Association President Lalu Prasad on Thursday openly backed the ICL, saying the million-dollar tournament could be played on Railways stadiums. Earlier, BCCI Secretary Niranjan Shah had last week threatened to impose life bans on players aligning with the rebel body and Sharad Pawar later on said there was no confrontation between the BCCI and the ICL, we did not issue any statement on banning anybody for life if he joins another organisation. But, on yesterday meeting BCCI members rebelled against Sharad Pawar and issued a statement to ban anyone who joins ICL.
Lalu said at a press conference in Rail Bhawan,
It is a good initiative. It will give rise to competition and good players will be encouraged. The parallel league is a good thing for those who complain that they were not selected or were ignored. This competition will be good for spotting good players. We will definitely allow them to play on our stadiums. We will charge little money for it.
ICL has also received an unexpected support from Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh who has written a letter to BCCI President Sharad Pawar in his individual capacity.
Digvijay Singh said,
Instead of taking confrontationist stand you should act as a facilitator for the ICL to succeed. I am sure the objective of the BCCI is not to make the millions but to popularise the game of cricket. I am sure you will prevail upon the handliners in the Board and make them understand sentiments of millions of cricket lovers in India.
