BCCI will consider Essel Group’s proposal today

April 7: BCCI in its Working Committee meeting today will decide Essel Group’s proposal of making a parallel cricket league. It is likely that the committee may disapprove this proposal as it might harm the interest of BCCI and end its monopoly over Indian cricket.

Earlier, after the disappointing exit of India from World Cup 2007, Subhash Chandra, the head of Essel Group that owns Zee Telefilms, announced the Indian Cricket League ICL proposal. He also said that it will work in cooperation with BCCI and not in contrary to it. According to him, the new cricket league will be able to develop better cricketing infrastructure and a bunch of talented players who will represent India in cricketing events.

In its proposal Essel Group announced to invest Rs 100 crore in developing six teams within one year and a total of 16 teams in the next three years. In the first stage, each team will comprise of two International, four overseas and eight domestic players. This is would help in developing the domestic structure of the game and would help in the making of a world class team.

However, BCCI Vice President, Lalit Modi, said that it would not be feasible without the help of BCCI, as it hold most facilities and infrastructure available. Also if ICL will invite current Indian players and international players, it will seek permission of both BCCI and ICC, he said.

In reply to Modi’s comment, the spokesperson of Essel Group Ashish Kaul, insisted that there is no question of approval or disapproval. He also mentioned that most of the infrastructure is owned by different state authorities, though BCCI’s effort in these can’t be ignored. “BCCI is the sole body running Indian cricket and we also aim to setup a good Indian team by providing better facilities, it is necessary to be in cooperation with each other�, he said.

Though, the proposal looks healthy for Indian cricket, but considering all technicalities and business associated with this from conducting matches, television rights, selecting players and many others, it’s unlikely that BCCI will cooperate with the Essel Group. However, the entire scenario would be clear after the meeting of Board President Sarad Pawar and Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra.