The Indian Cricket League has proved to the Board of Control for Cricket in India that it is not a gaggle of disgruntled and retired cricketers.
MUMBAI: The Indian Cricket League has proved to the Board of Control for Cricket in India that it is not a gaggle of disgruntled and retired cricketers.
Unveiling a galaxy of young and current national and international cricketers here on Monday, the ICL mandarins announced that the league is ready to take off.
While showcasing some of the finest talents in the country at a colourful function, the ICL officials also announced some top international names.
The biggest was that of Inzamam-ul-Haq. The former Pakistan captain is among the six new international signings. And the biggest surprise was Mohammed Yousuf, also a former Pakistan captain and currently one of the best batsmen in the world.
Abdul Razzaq, Imran Farhat, Nicky Boje and Lance Klusener are the others who have joined a long list of Indian players among whom are World Cupper Dinesh Mongia, internationals Reetinder Singh Sodhi, T Kumaran, JP Yadav, Deep Dasgupta, Laxmi Ratan Shukla and former India under-19 captain Ambati Rayudu. Brian Lara, of course, has already signed on the dotted lines.
At the function — organised with impeccable calibration — 44 players, most of whom are less than 25, walked the ramp, confident and fearless. “I’m excited to be playing in a league as professional as this. I’ll get to play with some great internationals. No, I don’t have any fear of repercussions,” Rayudu summed up the feeling of those who were present there.
“Hats off to them. I did not have the courage these youngsters have shown. I wish I was as gutsy,” said Kapil Dev, the chairman of the executive board of the league.
On the whole, the ICL has unveiled 51 players and three more — Rakesh Patel, Kiran Pawar and Shabuddin — are set to join, besides some internationals whose names have been making the rounds. The league is set to commence sometime in November.
The BCCI said it is not worried about the show of strength of the ICL. “The media has given it too much importance. We’ll finalise our position tomorrow,” said BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah.
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