The Indian Cricket League (ICL)

[Kumar]

Subhash Chandra, who heads the Essel Group, owners of the Zee brand, has announced a break-away cricket series called Indian Cricket League (ICL). The Essel Group will invest Rs 100 crore (US$ 23 million approx) into the project, and this will run parallel to Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Business mogul announces new cricket league

[gbelday]

Isn't that a great idea?

[suresh]

It is a fantastic idea from a business viewpoint. 100 crore rupees is peanuts compared to what Zee would have to pay if they wanted TV rights from the BCCI. The initial format will be 20-20 matches involving 4 international, 2 Indian and 8 upcoming players per team. I anticipate that players may receive bans from the BCCI (similar to what happened when Packer introduced pajama cricket) if they play in this league. By the way, it is called the Indian Cricket League (ICL).

Here is the link to Hindu's report

http://www.hinduonnet.com/holnus/007200704031823.htm

What a pleasant change to hear this instead of a never-ending post-mortem of our (non)performance in the world cup on the TV channels.

[suresh]

We will take appropriate decision on parallel league: BCCI

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holn ... 031924.htm

[sanjay8886]

The value of cricket as nationalism might get degraded little bit. Anybody can come up with their own cricket league and as a parallel body to BCCI. Too much politicians have taken control of BCCI, that way it might be good. Also, fans like us would know exactly that this is just cricket run for commercial purpose and has nothing to do for patriotism.

One thing is sure, BCCI might start loosing some value. Legality wise, I think BCCI is an autonomous body and has nothing to do with Indian govt. And so will be ICL run by industrialist. So in theory, India might represent two teams: one by BCCI and other by ICL. In future, by BPCL, MPCL, TCSL, Reliance etc..

[x_y_Z_a]

Obviously BCCI will do whatever it can to put spokes for this new league. For starters, the players will be banned and none of the grounds under BCCI's control would be given. I am sure they would ask all level players to sign a contract that they would not play in any unauthorised league - including ICL.

Even if some of the players did great - BCCI will not take them. Even if they did, they will insist that the player concerned disown any allegiance to ICL.

So the players that will play for ICL would be new set of youngsters and those who see no chance in going up the ladder in BCCI hierarchy.

[sameerph]

This is exact replica of what Australian Kerry Packer did in late 70's.
He did not get the TV rights of the international cricket in Australia at that time.
He lured away most of the top players from Australia , WI & some from Pakistan, England , New zeland etc. ( by paying them handsomely) to form three teams of WI, AUS & Rest of world to play ODI's against each other.
He totally revolutionised the game at that time by bringing in night cricket, Coloured clothing , white ball etc.
All the cricket boards banned the players from their respective national teams . I think finally there was a compromise between boards & Packer.
But, I find i difficult for something like this to succeed in today's era where cricketers are paid quite well. Unless he attracts some of the top players , there will not be a great viewership for this.

[gbelday]

Yeah, valid points.  I just hope it goes the Kerry Packer way and not the XFL way. I still think there is lot of promise and it might be better for Indian cricket in the longer run.  Moreover, this new league is starting out with 20-20 format and slowly move towards one day cricket.  The BCCI, as far as I know, is against the 20-20 format. I think 20-20 might become very popular in the future.

On the same note, the PHL league is probably not helping to raise Indian hockey standards but that is because of how IHF is currently run.

[jai_in_canada]

I hope it works.  BCCI wants to socialist model of governance of the game while at the same time wanting the capitalist model of making money.  They need their butts kicked into high gear.  Why is it that governing bodies in most sports are so corrupt, lazy and monopolistic?

[PKBasu]

Very interesting move by Subhash Chandra (and ILFS). I hope it shakes up the game. Given the current state of the BCCI and Indian cricket, I think the Board will struggle to prevent the ICL's Twenty20 league from getting off the ground. Of course, a lot depends on how many floodlight cricket grounds the ICL is able to secure. Since the BCCI has yet to start a Twenty20 tournament (and there is a Twenty20 World Cup coming up in a few months), the ICL could be doing a great service to Indian cricket anyway. If it succeeds in shaking up world cricket in the manner of Packer in the 1970s, all the better. A lot depends on who turns out to be Subhash Chandra's Tony Greig (the player-representative who converted the business ideas into cricketing reality). 

[SriramP]

I think there is one BCCI Twenty-20 going on right now...! Saw a report which said Dhoni, Sehwag and Pathan all got out scoring single digits in today's set of matches...!

[puneets]

I think there is one BCCI Twenty-20 going on right now...! Saw a report which said Dhoni, Sehwag and Pathan all got out scoring single digits in today's set of matches...!

Here's the story:
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1088752

[Sandeep]

I don't think BCCI will give permission. It will be a setback for Nimbus if they allow a parallel league

[jaydeep]

Yes, Lalit Modi commented that BCCI make sure that not a single ground will get available for Indian Cricket League which affiliated to BCCI (states) member's association … So ICL having huge task, for start players like Ajay Jadeja and others players from first class cricket who r near to their retirement ... No active foreign players will come to play as they needs permission from ICC ... And BCCI will make sure that ICL will not get.

Jaydeep.

[jayakris]

As usual, BCCI and ICC will bury their heads deep down in sand.  Pathetic bunch of losers.  Make use of this league, you clueless idiots!

Jay