International Cricket Council (ICC) president David Morgan’s decision to meet Essel Group Chairman and Indian Cricket League (ICL) founder Subhash Chandra has come as a surprise to BCCI
MUMBAI; International Cricket Council (ICC) president David Morgan’s decision to meet Essel Group Chairman and Indian Cricket League (ICL) founder Subhash Chandra has come as a surprise to BCCI, even as cricket lovers have welcomed the move.
At present, ICL is not recognised by the ICC or the national governing bodies and players who join it face an automatic ban. The BCCI has been opposing any kind of rapprochement between the ICC and ICL.
Ever since Morgan announced his decision to meet ICL representatives in London in the first week of October, Chandra and Zee have been flooded with mails and letters from cricket lovers who hope to see an end to the present impasse.
A senior cricketer associated with the BCCI said in a personal mail: “In a country as large as India there is a place for a dozen ICLs. It is impossible for the BCCI alone to scout for talent from across the country and nurture them. It is unfortunate that the BCCI has denied these players an opportunity to represent the national team.”
Hoping that ICL would be granted ICC recognition, a former bowler noted, “Cricket is nobody’s personal property. Recognition of ICL will be in the best interest of cricket.”
Many have opined that players should not be made victims
due to the rivalry between BCCI and ICL. Stating that BCCI had refused permission to ICL to use its stadia, a retired umpire said, “The BCCI would rather rent out its stadia for beauty pageants but not to ICL. Hopefully, this will be sorted out now.”
The ICL has made it clear on many occasions that its aim is to develop cricket in the country and not to compete with BCCI. “We would like to compliment the BCCI’s work to ensure greater opportunities to the vast talent available,” an ICL source said.
The CEO of a prominent event management company said, “We hope ICL gets its due recognition. It will be a great win for cricket and will help restore sanity.”
ICL sources said several such messages were coming in from cricket administrators, players and aspirants who hoped that the rival bodies would bury the hatchet in the interest of the game.
Several cricket lovers who have hailed Chandra as the saviour of the game have expressed optimism that he will succeed in restoring the lost glory of cricket.
The league begins on October 10 and all the matches will be live telecast on Zee Sports.
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