ICL eyes for senior Ranji Player apart form International names

Aug 16: The ZEE Essel group venture of Indian Cricket League (ICL) is now planning to attract some of the senior domestic players who are a part of Ranji and Deodhar Trophy. After the association of some big brand names from International cricket it is now eyeing to lure those who have not get a chance to represent India.

Reportedly some of the Hyderabad Ranji players including Ambatti Rayudu, Vinay Kumar, Ibrahim Khalil, I.S. Reddy, Anirudh Singh, Kaushik Reddy and Shashank Nag have signed agreement with ICL. The state cricket board though expressed their displeasure over their association but it is true that ICL is in constant effort to bring more and more players into its hold. This will further weaken BCCI’s stand that is from the very beginning critical about ICL.

It is no surprise that any of them will not come forward as it’s always difficult to get a fair chance in Indian cricket team due to a complicated selection process and also management disorder. Kapil Dev the Chairman of ICL board has been so far successful in bringing some of the international players including Mc Grath, Brian Lara, Shane Warne and some other names are yet to disclose but no big Indian players as BCCI has made clear its stand on those rebel players.

It is believed that ICL is also interested in some of the senior cricket players like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and of course Anil Kumble and Dravid who are on the verge of their career. However, the present status of ICL in terms of infrastructure may delay their purposed tournament and also the association of such players.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is also well aware of ICL’s plans and hence it is trying its best to offer a fare amount of chance to all the senior and junior players by dividing the team into three different categories in One-Day International, Test and the new Twenty20 format.

This is one of the logical facts that in the coming T20 World Cup starting from September in South Africa, cricket fans will not see the top three Sachin, Sourav and Dravid in action as they are sent to rest.

As far as Ranji Players are concerned, they may opt for ICl but it is still difficult as every player only wants to represent India National Cricket Team which is solely under BCCI control. However, senior players who are in their 30’s are likely to join ICL as is not possible for them to play for the current Indian team with a fare amount bench strength.

Meanwhile, Pakistan cricket players like Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq, Imran Farhat, and former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq have also shown their keenness to join ICL but neither ICL nor these players have made anything public.