‘Make ICL official’

Wadekar, More feel the league should ‘co-exist’ with IPL in greater interest of the game

CHENNAI: Former India cricket captain, coach and manager Ajit Wadekar on Sunday suggested that the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and the BCCI’s Indian Premier League (IPL) could “co-exist” in the greater interest of Indian cricket.

“The BCCI should recognise ICL. After all, it will broad base the talent pool for the Indian team,” the former Mumbai left-hander, who is among the mentors on the advisory panel of ICL, said.

Wadekar said the ICL would afford the young players in the teams the opportunity to play along side great names in cricket like Brian Lara. “It’s a great opportunity for them to mature into better players,” he added.

Former India stumper Kiran More, who is part of the executive council of the Indian Cricket League (ICL), also shared similar view saying it was upto the Indian Cricket Board to grant recognition to the league, which has proved to be a good springboard for talented cricketers.

More said: “We’ve applied to the BCCI for formal recognition. I hope the ICL would be official.”

On Gary Kirsten’s appointment as Indian coach, Wadekar said: “Kirsten has not been a coach even in South Africa. Dave Whatmore would have been a better choice.”