ICL second innings commences in Feb’08

Dec 18:   Elated with a much-needed favourable response after successfully organising its inaugural season with a star studded Twenty20 championship, the Zee-Essel group backed Indian Cricket League (ICL) is all set to play its second innings with a year-packed schedule that is planned to kick-off in February next year.

Indian Cricket League (ICL) which kick started its first season in November, will host 5 tournaments in 2008. The announcement was made on Sunday by Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra and Kapil Dev, chairman of the executive board, ICL.

"It is indeed heartening to see the response Indian Cricket League (ICL) has been able to generate in India and across the globe. After a successful launch in keeping with the promise made, ICL is proud to announce its cricket calendar for the coming season,” said Chandra.

The second season will kick-start with a 50-over domestic championship and the season will conclude in November-December with the second edition of ICL Twenty20 Indian Championship.

The ICL calendar will have a Twenty20 triangular series after a 50-over domestic championship. In March-April, ICL will organise the ICL Grand Championship in which 8 teams will participate in a Twenty20 tournament. By April- May, the league will open academies across cities. A 20 over a side ICL Invitation Cup in which 8 teams will participate in between September and October.

"In February-March, T20 triangular series will see best of Indian players, players from Asian countries and rest of the world taking part," told Chandra. He also announced that the number of participating teams will go up to eight from six to take part in the “ICL Grand Championship” T20 tournament in March-April.

"These forthcoming championships will be played at different venues, including metro cities, the names of which will be announced later," Chandra added.

According to former Indian skipper Kapil Dev, ICL had the potential to produce future Indian players.

"Within few years, these boys will play for the country, otherwise I can say best players will not be playing for India, which will be disappointing," Kapil quipped.