Organisers of a rebel Twenty20 league in India on Thursday offered a massive $3.85 million in prize money, claiming it to be the biggest booty ever offered in a cricket tournament.
The Indian Cricket League (ICL), starting on Friday, will see the winner of the six-team competition pocket one million dollars alone, raising the bar for the rival league backed by the country’s cricket board (BCCI).
“This is for the first time in the history of Indian cricket that the total money for a tournament is rupees 15 crore ($3.8 million),” said Ashish Kaul, executive vice-president of Essel Group, promoters of the event.
“The prize money allotted for the winners exceeds international standards and will create a new trend in the Indian cricket parlance,” he said in a statement.
The runners-up will receive prize money of $470,000. The unofficial league is bankrolled by Subash Chandra, whose two-billion-dollar Essel Group includes the country’s biggest television network Zee Telefilms.
The hefty pay packet on offer has lured the likes of West Indies batting great Brian Lara, Pakistan’s Inzamam-ul-Haq and New Zealand’s Chris Cairns.
The tournament kicks off in Panchkula, an industrial town on the outskirts of the northern Indian city of Chandigarh, with the finale slated for December 16.
The BCCI-backed Indian Premier League is scheduled to be held in April next year.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
ICL starts today, with biggest purse in cricket
The Indian Cricket League will carry a hefty prize-money of Rs 15 crore, by far the highest in any sport in Indian domestic circuit. “We want to change the whole look of domestic cricket and this prize-money is a step towards achieving that objective,” said Essel group vice-president Ashish Kaul.
Giving the break-up of the prize-money, Kaul said the winners will carry home Rs 3.9 crore, while the runners-up will be richer by 1.9 crore. The remaining four teams will walk away with Rs 1.5 crore, Rs 1.25 crore, Rs 1 crore and Rs 85 lakh.
Besides, there is a cash award of Rs 18.75 lakh to be won in each game. “The winning team will pocket the entire amount, with man of the match picking up another 3.75 lakh,” said Kaul, adding that they have already invested approximately $25 million into the project.
Besides the rich cash award, the other heartening news for the players is the ICL’s plan to conduct another tournament in March this year. “We have been promised that this particular tournament is not the end all and be all of the ICL. There is another tournament coming up in March as well, and it could be a 50-over game,” said a player.
“We are indeed planning a tournament somewhere around March. But the modalities are yet to be worked out,” said Kaul. He, however, agreed that tournament could be a 50-over affair, saying that ICL was an on-going project and it would gradually include other formats as well.
“The big prize-money is indeed a big incentive for the players. Besides, more tournaments will be an icing on the cake as it answers what we will do after playing this event,” said a Chandigarh Lions player.
Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/
Giving the break-up of the prize-money, Kaul said the winners will carry home Rs 3.9 crore, while the runners-up will be richer by 1.9 crore. The remaining four teams will walk away with Rs 1.5 crore, Rs 1.25 crore, Rs 1 crore and Rs 85 lakh.
Besides, there is a cash award of Rs 18.75 lakh to be won in each game. “The winning team will pocket the entire amount, with man of the match picking up another 3.75 lakh,” said Kaul, adding that they have already invested approximately $25 million into the project.
Besides the rich cash award, the other heartening news for the players is the ICL’s plan to conduct another tournament in March this year. “We have been promised that this particular tournament is not the end all and be all of the ICL. There is another tournament coming up in March as well, and it could be a 50-over game,” said a player.
“We are indeed planning a tournament somewhere around March. But the modalities are yet to be worked out,” said Kaul. He, however, agreed that tournament could be a 50-over affair, saying that ICL was an on-going project and it would gradually include other formats as well.
“The big prize-money is indeed a big incentive for the players. Besides, more tournaments will be an icing on the cake as it answers what we will do after playing this event,” said a Chandigarh Lions player.
Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/
Structure of ICL
* 6 teams to start with expansion to 16 teams by the third year
* Teams to represent the entire geography of the nation
* Start with the Twenty20 format and progress to the 50 over format
* Each team would have a dedicated support staff consisting of trainers, physiotherapist, dietician and a media manager
There will initially be six teams taking part in a league format that leads up to semi finals and finals. By the third year, the ICL promises to increase to 16 teams that comprehensively represent all of India. The matches will be held in both ODI as well as 20:20 format with all the teams playing home and away.
Each team will also have first and second division sides so as to maximize talent utilization. These teams will be regularly sent to international cricket playing nations so that psychologically they are well prepared to take on the world of cricket. The ICL will be run by an Executive Board which will comprise of the top names of Indian and international cricket, and have the final say in all matters of the league and be responsible for running it.
There will also be a Rules Committee and an umpires/match referees panel made up of internationally reputed names. Each ICL team will comprise a mixture of International and Indian budding cricketers. There will also be a mentor attached to each team who will function as the coach and main motivator for the individual team. This is most likely to be an ex-Indian cricketer from that particular region. There will also be physiotherapist, trainers and dieticians attached to each team to ensure fitness regimen.
* Teams to represent the entire geography of the nation
* Start with the Twenty20 format and progress to the 50 over format
* Each team would have a dedicated support staff consisting of trainers, physiotherapist, dietician and a media manager
There will initially be six teams taking part in a league format that leads up to semi finals and finals. By the third year, the ICL promises to increase to 16 teams that comprehensively represent all of India. The matches will be held in both ODI as well as 20:20 format with all the teams playing home and away.
Each team will also have first and second division sides so as to maximize talent utilization. These teams will be regularly sent to international cricket playing nations so that psychologically they are well prepared to take on the world of cricket. The ICL will be run by an Executive Board which will comprise of the top names of Indian and international cricket, and have the final say in all matters of the league and be responsible for running it.
There will also be a Rules Committee and an umpires/match referees panel made up of internationally reputed names. Each ICL team will comprise a mixture of International and Indian budding cricketers. There will also be a mentor attached to each team who will function as the coach and main motivator for the individual team. This is most likely to be an ex-Indian cricketer from that particular region. There will also be physiotherapist, trainers and dieticians attached to each team to ensure fitness regimen.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Anil Ambani, top filmstars to grace ICL inauguration
Top business tycoons such as Anil Ambani and filmstars like Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor would be present at the inauguration of the Indian Cricket League's Twenty20 tournament which kicks off on Friday at Panchkula.
"We have drawn up an impressive celebrity list. Besides ambani, Essar Group's Shashi Ruia will also come here to watch the matches," Essel Group's Executive Vice-President Ashish Kaul said on Wednesday. Kaul, whose group is holding the fortnight-long tournament, said Kareena Kapoor and a top model Yana Gupta will perform shortly before the event takes off. Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will be the chief guest.
The Zee group will broadcast the first 30 minutes of the ICL matches on all its channels, except the two movie channels while complete full live telecast will be available on Zee Sports. Kaul said organisers had taken certain steps to ensure the games are conducted in line with international standards.
ICL has tied up with Ranbaxy Laboratories for anti-doping testing and has employed an external security consultant to monitor the players' dressing rooms and umpires area during the matches. "This has been done to ensure the integrity of matches is maintained," he said, adding it was similar to the controls the International Cricket Council has in place for international events.
"We have drawn up an impressive celebrity list. Besides ambani, Essar Group's Shashi Ruia will also come here to watch the matches," Essel Group's Executive Vice-President Ashish Kaul said on Wednesday. Kaul, whose group is holding the fortnight-long tournament, said Kareena Kapoor and a top model Yana Gupta will perform shortly before the event takes off. Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will be the chief guest.
The Zee group will broadcast the first 30 minutes of the ICL matches on all its channels, except the two movie channels while complete full live telecast will be available on Zee Sports. Kaul said organisers had taken certain steps to ensure the games are conducted in line with international standards.
ICL has tied up with Ranbaxy Laboratories for anti-doping testing and has employed an external security consultant to monitor the players' dressing rooms and umpires area during the matches. "This has been done to ensure the integrity of matches is maintained," he said, adding it was similar to the controls the International Cricket Council has in place for international events.
Kapil Dev insists Indian league will succeed
Former India captain Kapil Dev admits he will be nervous prior to the start of tomorrow’s Indian Cricket League because, in his own words, the event is a baby he has helped father.
Since its inception the ICL has met with obstacles, most notably the Board of Control for Cricket in India, who view the competition as one that is raping the country of ‘their’ revenue streams. They instructed players, administrators, sponsors and even the media to have nothing to do with it.
The BCCI then announced their own version, the Indian Premier League, only this event is sanctioned by the International Cricket Council and just about any body that is deemed ‘official’. The ICL has been painted as the black sheep of world cricket.
The negativity has not deterred West Indies batting great Brian Lara, Pakistan World Cup winner Inzamam-ul-Haq and a slew of fringe or fading England players like Darren Maddy, who will play for Calcutta Tigers.
Kapil feels people have the wrong impression of the ICL, similar to when Kerry Packer unveiled the World Series Cup in the late Seventies.
“ICL is our baby and we are hoping everything goes off well,” Kapil said. “It’s not the black sheep of cricket.Was Kerry Packer the black sheep of cricket? That was a good thing that happened and this is also a good thing.
“We are giving jobs to hundreds of cricketers, administrators, television people, umpires. How can it be wrong to give jobs to people? Are we not promoting cricket? Are we not putting money into the game? If I thought we were spoiling the game I would walk out.”
Delhi Jets and Chandigarh Lions will launch the ICL at a ground in Panchkula, near Chandigarh, converted from a football venue in six weeks.
Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik is doubtful for the second Test against India, starting on Friday in Calcutta, after failing to recover from an ankle injury.
Malik twisted his ankle during a soccer game after his side’s defeat in the first Test. Team-mate Shoaib Akhtar was yesterday recovering well from a viral infection and fast bowler Umar Gul is on the mend from his back injury.
Steve Elworthy, the former South Africa seam bowler, has been chosen as tournament director for the ICC World Twenty20 2009 in England and Wales.
Source : http://indiancricketleaguenews.wordpress.com/
Since its inception the ICL has met with obstacles, most notably the Board of Control for Cricket in India, who view the competition as one that is raping the country of ‘their’ revenue streams. They instructed players, administrators, sponsors and even the media to have nothing to do with it.
The BCCI then announced their own version, the Indian Premier League, only this event is sanctioned by the International Cricket Council and just about any body that is deemed ‘official’. The ICL has been painted as the black sheep of world cricket.
The negativity has not deterred West Indies batting great Brian Lara, Pakistan World Cup winner Inzamam-ul-Haq and a slew of fringe or fading England players like Darren Maddy, who will play for Calcutta Tigers.
Kapil feels people have the wrong impression of the ICL, similar to when Kerry Packer unveiled the World Series Cup in the late Seventies.
“ICL is our baby and we are hoping everything goes off well,” Kapil said. “It’s not the black sheep of cricket.Was Kerry Packer the black sheep of cricket? That was a good thing that happened and this is also a good thing.
“We are giving jobs to hundreds of cricketers, administrators, television people, umpires. How can it be wrong to give jobs to people? Are we not promoting cricket? Are we not putting money into the game? If I thought we were spoiling the game I would walk out.”
Delhi Jets and Chandigarh Lions will launch the ICL at a ground in Panchkula, near Chandigarh, converted from a football venue in six weeks.
Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik is doubtful for the second Test against India, starting on Friday in Calcutta, after failing to recover from an ankle injury.
Malik twisted his ankle during a soccer game after his side’s defeat in the first Test. Team-mate Shoaib Akhtar was yesterday recovering well from a viral infection and fast bowler Umar Gul is on the mend from his back injury.
Steve Elworthy, the former South Africa seam bowler, has been chosen as tournament director for the ICC World Twenty20 2009 in England and Wales.
Source : http://indiancricketleaguenews.wordpress.com/
Treat ICL as employment opportunity
Asserting that boards around the world cannot bar players from earning a living through the Indian Cricket League, former Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu on Monday said the venture should be looked upon as an employment opportunity rather than a challenge to the existing set-up.
“I don’t think ICL should be blocked in any way. In fact, we need more such initiatives to groom talent. It should be treated as a career chosen by a cricketer. They (the boards) are not doing any good by putting sanctions,” Atapattu, who retired from international cricket after the recent Test series against Australia, said.
Atapattu, captain of the Delhi Jets team, took a dig at the BCCI-backed Indian Premier League saying, “IPL has dragged in all the current players but ICL also has fresh talent on display. That is where the difference lies.”
Source: http://www.hindu.com/
“I don’t think ICL should be blocked in any way. In fact, we need more such initiatives to groom talent. It should be treated as a career chosen by a cricketer. They (the boards) are not doing any good by putting sanctions,” Atapattu, who retired from international cricket after the recent Test series against Australia, said.
Atapattu, captain of the Delhi Jets team, took a dig at the BCCI-backed Indian Premier League saying, “IPL has dragged in all the current players but ICL also has fresh talent on display. That is where the difference lies.”
Source: http://www.hindu.com/
Lara welcome to join Indian Premier League - organisers
NEW DELHI, India (CMC) - Brian Lara is welcome to join next year's Indian Premier League. This is the word from a senior official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, but there is a caveat.
The former West Indies captain and batting superstar would have to first cut all ties with the organisers of the controversial Indian Cricket League which begins on November 30 in Panchkula.
"He would have to terminate his ICL contract in such a case," BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla.
Lara is one of several former international stars who have jumped at the offer to play in the lucrative ICL.
Shukla noted that they were all welcome to join the IPL, once they too, rejected their contracts with the ICL.
The news however, was not so encouraging for fringe Indian players.
"There is no plan to take them back," Shukla said. "We've been approached by a number of players who have aligned with ICL.
"They want to play for their states and want to come back. But as of now, the BCCI has not arrived on a consensus about a general amnesty to them."
The BCCI launched the IPL in order to counter the ICL.
Some of the fringe domestic players and foreign cricketers like Lara, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Chris Cairns, and Daryl Cullinan have joined the ICL.
The board has barred all domestic cricketers, who joined the ICL, from playing in board-run tournaments.
The former West Indies captain and batting superstar would have to first cut all ties with the organisers of the controversial Indian Cricket League which begins on November 30 in Panchkula.
"He would have to terminate his ICL contract in such a case," BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla.
Lara is one of several former international stars who have jumped at the offer to play in the lucrative ICL.
Shukla noted that they were all welcome to join the IPL, once they too, rejected their contracts with the ICL.
The news however, was not so encouraging for fringe Indian players.
"There is no plan to take them back," Shukla said. "We've been approached by a number of players who have aligned with ICL.
"They want to play for their states and want to come back. But as of now, the BCCI has not arrived on a consensus about a general amnesty to them."
The BCCI launched the IPL in order to counter the ICL.
Some of the fringe domestic players and foreign cricketers like Lara, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Chris Cairns, and Daryl Cullinan have joined the ICL.
The board has barred all domestic cricketers, who joined the ICL, from playing in board-run tournaments.
Kareena to perform for Indian Cricket League
SRK did it with Chak De India; John followed that up with Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal. And now it seems that Kareena is all set to follow suit by doing her bit for sports, the difference being that SRK and John have done it on reel life, while Kareena will do it in real life!
She is scheduled to perform for tracks like ‘It’s Rocking’ from Kya Love Story Hai and ‘Mauja Mauja’ from her hit film, Jab We Met, at the opening ceremony of Kapil Dev’s Indian Cricket League (ICL) in Chandigarh. The event is being coordinated by Bunty Walia’s GS Entertainment and Zee Sports. Kareena said that she is a cricket enthusiast and has watched a lot of Kapil Dev’s performances. Hence, being a part of the ceremony would indeed be an honor for her. She is also planning to meet up with Kapil Dev on November 30 before the event. The Australian cricketer Dean Jones and England’s Tony Greig would also be joining them.
Source: http://www.indiafm.com/
She is scheduled to perform for tracks like ‘It’s Rocking’ from Kya Love Story Hai and ‘Mauja Mauja’ from her hit film, Jab We Met, at the opening ceremony of Kapil Dev’s Indian Cricket League (ICL) in Chandigarh. The event is being coordinated by Bunty Walia’s GS Entertainment and Zee Sports. Kareena said that she is a cricket enthusiast and has watched a lot of Kapil Dev’s performances. Hence, being a part of the ceremony would indeed be an honor for her. She is also planning to meet up with Kapil Dev on November 30 before the event. The Australian cricketer Dean Jones and England’s Tony Greig would also be joining them.
Source: http://www.indiafm.com/
Stage set for ICL to take off from Nov 30
Stage is set for the Indian Cricket League’s (ICL) Twenty20 tournament to take off from November 30 in Chandigarh with a host of former international stars promising to add spice to the rebel series.
The tournament, which is spread over two weeks, will have Delhi Jets taking on Chandigarh Lions in the inaugural match at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula.
Besides these two teams, Mumbai Champs will be led by legendary Brian Lara while other teams Kolkata Tigers, Chennai Superstars and Hyderabad Heroes will be vying for a place in the semi finals of the tournament, which will have a round-robin format.
Apart from Lara, the other top players to watch out for will be former Sri Lankan skipper Marvan Atapattu, who will be captaining the Delhi Jets team, former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq, former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns, Nathan Astle, Chris Harris, Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood, Dinesh Mongia, Lance Klusener, Imran Farhat, Nicky Boje, Vikram Solanki, Paul Nixon, Hamish Marshall, Andrew Hall and Daryl Tuffey.
There are a host of domestic cricket stars as well which will form part of each team along with the former international ones. The teams would be reaching here tomorrow after taking part in several practice matches at different venues.
Final touches are being given to around 7,000 capacity stadium in Haryana’s Panchkula, where flood lights are being installed for the mega event.
Though tickets for the event have been moderately priced at Rs 100 for a single match and Rs 150 for two matches on the same day, the response from the fans has been lukewarm.
ICL Executive Board chairman Kapil Dev said, “we are keeping our fingers crossed. At the moment, we are excited and nervous. ICL is our baby and we are hoping everything goes off well.”
A concern at the stadium would be the outfield, which tends to be a bit slow, but Kapil said everything will be
taken care of before the tournament starts.
The pavillion building is being upgraded to include individual lockers and dressing room for players, umpires and match officials while a hi-tech broadcast studio is also being readied.
ICL, an Essel Group venture, has taken the stadium on a 10-year lease from the Haryana Government. Executive Vice president of the Essel (Zee) Group, Ashish Kaul said in addition to the live broadcast of the tournament on Zee Sports, they would also try to have live feed on regional channels owned by the media conglomerate.
The event will have commentators like Tony Greig, Dean Jones, Pat Symcox, Jeffery Thomson, Mike Whitney and Ayaz Memon.
Source: http://www.cricket247.in/
The tournament, which is spread over two weeks, will have Delhi Jets taking on Chandigarh Lions in the inaugural match at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula.
Besides these two teams, Mumbai Champs will be led by legendary Brian Lara while other teams Kolkata Tigers, Chennai Superstars and Hyderabad Heroes will be vying for a place in the semi finals of the tournament, which will have a round-robin format.
Apart from Lara, the other top players to watch out for will be former Sri Lankan skipper Marvan Atapattu, who will be captaining the Delhi Jets team, former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq, former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns, Nathan Astle, Chris Harris, Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood, Dinesh Mongia, Lance Klusener, Imran Farhat, Nicky Boje, Vikram Solanki, Paul Nixon, Hamish Marshall, Andrew Hall and Daryl Tuffey.
There are a host of domestic cricket stars as well which will form part of each team along with the former international ones. The teams would be reaching here tomorrow after taking part in several practice matches at different venues.
Final touches are being given to around 7,000 capacity stadium in Haryana’s Panchkula, where flood lights are being installed for the mega event.
Though tickets for the event have been moderately priced at Rs 100 for a single match and Rs 150 for two matches on the same day, the response from the fans has been lukewarm.
ICL Executive Board chairman Kapil Dev said, “we are keeping our fingers crossed. At the moment, we are excited and nervous. ICL is our baby and we are hoping everything goes off well.”
A concern at the stadium would be the outfield, which tends to be a bit slow, but Kapil said everything will be
taken care of before the tournament starts.
The pavillion building is being upgraded to include individual lockers and dressing room for players, umpires and match officials while a hi-tech broadcast studio is also being readied.
ICL, an Essel Group venture, has taken the stadium on a 10-year lease from the Haryana Government. Executive Vice president of the Essel (Zee) Group, Ashish Kaul said in addition to the live broadcast of the tournament on Zee Sports, they would also try to have live feed on regional channels owned by the media conglomerate.
The event will have commentators like Tony Greig, Dean Jones, Pat Symcox, Jeffery Thomson, Mike Whitney and Ayaz Memon.
Source: http://www.cricket247.in/
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