There arent many in the BCCI who have played cricket for the Country. They are good batsmen in industry, very good googly bowlers in the arena of poli'tricks' and very excellent 'field'errs!
If players are accused of joining ICL for money, then are the people at the helm of BCCI for promoting cricket? If it was so, ICL would not have been promoted in the first place!!!They too are they for the wealth that BCCI possesses and not to promote the game in earnest.
It high time that they stopped acting funny and arrogant. Who are they to ban players from representing the country? THey dont have any right though they are in a position to deny a good player a place in the team!!!
Sports will be SPORTS only when these power monger POLITICIANS stay away from sporting activities, as they do not even have a sportmanship in them, let alone being a sportsman. It is like an officer who does not know to drive issuing a licence ...Ironic it may be, thats how it is in Indian Cricket!
How many academies have come up? How many new stadiums in II tier cities have come up? Has there been an opportunity for youngsters to improve? When a private MRF pace academy can do so much, where has the BCCI contributed?? Its a shame on them...they have spent more time in air conditioned rooms and 5 star hotels than on the cricket fields. What a waste of resources...Huh!
A concept like ICL was required long back to improve domestic cricket attraction and nurture talent in a practical way. a. People playing against/with recently retired players (who can still find place in most World teams) will definitely enhance skill and confidence significantly
b.Local people will start flocking to stadiums to see domestic cricket matches (higher standards) and may be one day have fan followings for teams aka Baseball/Basketball/NFL in US c. Quite confident, pitches will be made "sporty" and in months to come, Indian youngsters will play the hook and pull naturally making them a success abroad
Other countries already has it in certain level. BCCI is a private body as I know; Does not stop ICC to select ICL later to select the Indian team. BCCI folks can then be a part of shamed history...This has happened in many games in other countries where a new entrant/organization through innovation and quality has ultimately become a governing body.
All the best; what is really needs to be seen is Pawar's politics and guts of our national players taking a leap of faith. If ICL India XI beats the National team in 12-18 months (if they play); tables may turn rapidly.
