Indian Cricket League to be formed
Yesterday, Essel group chairman Subhash Chandra announced the formation of a cricket league. This would be called the Indian Cricket League, comprising a total of six teams, with each team consisting of upto four international players. This league also plans to setup cricketing academies throughout India and create a talent pool for India Cricket.
But, how far will this venture be a success is anyone’s guess with the BCCI already slamming this idea and pronouncing it an unfruitful venture. Everyone wants a share of the lucrative Indian cricket scene and it is obvious that groups are unwilling to co-operate for cricket’s sake!
But, how far will this venture be a success is anyone’s guess with the BCCI already slamming this idea and pronouncing it an unfruitful venture. Everyone wants a share of the lucrative Indian cricket scene and it is obvious that groups are unwilling to co-operate for cricket’s sake!
It is rumoured that some big names in Indian and international cricket have already been signed on for this league. Lets hope that this turns to be like the English county matches and we get more people to watch these matches than the usual entourage of friends and family who are the only ones to turn up at Ranji matches.
Start a Indian cricket league
Former India captains Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Chandu Borde, Srinivas Venkataraghavan, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri and Krishnamachari Srikanth made the following recommendations at the BCCI meeting on Friday:
Strengthen Domestic Cricket.
Improve the quality of wickets
Improve the quality and competitiveness in domestic cricket.
Junior Cricket: The structure which is the best in the world and should be supported by providing good wickets and umpires
Form Pool of Players
Star Zonal Academies
Put Cap on Players’ Endorsements
I think that our former captains MISSED one vital part
Team India – We need eleven players, who untidily play for the country rather then bunch of super stars with super egos, playing for themselves.
This is what Chappell wanted and how can we ignore such a vital point.
The solution suggested –
Chappellway
He emphasized the need to promote youngsters and concentrate on fitness for the team to do well in fielding and running between wickets.
Pawarplay
The BCCI president Sharad Pawar complimented Chappell on his role and his professional approach. He opined that Chappell could be associated with Indian cricket and help in the implementation of the long term plans.
Former Captains way
Form Cricket Committee: A committee may be constituted from among the captains to advise on cricketing matters and the committee should meet every quarter.
Subhash Chandra’s way
A parallel cricket league called the Indian Cricket League in the country.
My Solution – KISS – keep it simple stupid
All this can be achieved with a combination of solution
Start a Indian cricket league – not the way Subhash Chandra wants it … simply because he wants to start this for his own selfish reasons . He will only complicate the situation .
Let the BCCI start a league with the help of Indian corporate
Say there are eight teams to start with
A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H
Invite corporate world to form their teams
Say A is Tata , B is Reliance , C is Airtel , TCS or Sahara or LG etc etc
Give each team a stadium – say Airtel gets Mohali , Tata gets Wankhede … now that becomes there home ground and they are responsible for the up gradation of stadium and pitches etc
Let them hire players (foreign as well as Indians) on the same lines as football clubs – let them have foreign coaches /trainers /support staff.
The Objective is to have
Eight super strong teams, who should be capable of beating any other test team in the world
BCCI should take the role of ICC – I mean they should be the super body, just like ICC and all the other eight members should function as test-playing nations does in international format
Let them play with each other in all the three formats – test matches, one day and 20:20
Presence of 4-5 international players in each team will ensure a good competitive cricket.
Run it like a professional league (similar to football league)
For the time being
1 Don’t dismantle the domestic cricket – let it run the same way – use it for drawing the talent to professional league
2 Zonal academies should also be introduced to supply the fresh talent
3 Cut down on international matches by 50% … play with the best only . Let our players concentrate on local professional league
It’s a win –win for all the parties except ICC
What’s in it for BCCI?
Sell the TV rights and use the money for development of cricket at grass root level
What’s in it for corporate?
Advertisement, Free publicity, there clubs can be converted into a profitable business venture – similar to football clubs
What’s in it for cricketers?
Right now, only handful of players become really rich …rest of the lot…though maybe equally talented does not get the fair share. This system will ensure that large number of cricketers get enough to lead a respectable life
What’s in it for fans?
They get to see the completive game on regular basis without breaking down emotionally
Why corporate?
Simply because they are far more organized and professional in spotting talent, hiring, training and retaining. They know how to motivate and get the maximum out of a professional.
The bottom line
Imagine , Indian cricket after few years
1) It can have eight world class stadiums , having best of pitches and facilities
2) It can have eight world class coaches and support staff
3) It can have 150 professional players pool to choose a team of eleven for international matches
And much more – Just think over it – if you agree with me then email this to as many Indians as you can and put your comments on the blog at following link
http://soulnpeace.blogspot.com/2007/04/indian-cricket-league.html
Praveen Verma
albatross@afcl.com