ICL The Indian Cricket League

The Indian Cricket League, an Essel Group venture, today officially unveiled 51 players that have joined the league, in a glittering function in Mumbai today. The players comprise of national and international players, most of whom represent their countries and states at the highest level. They have been chosen in a nationwide hunt and selection process. A Talent Search Committee comprising of ICL executive board members, coaches and talent scouts of the Indian Cricket League, has selected these players. Some of the International Players who have joined include Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf Abdul Razzaq, Imran Farhat, Lance Klusener & Nicky Boje. Some of the Indian players signed include Dinesh Mongia, Reetinder Singh Sodhi, JP Yadav, Deep Dasgupta, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, T Kumaran and U19 captain Ambati Rayudu, all of who have represented India in the past.

Announcing the signing up of these players, Mr. Himanshu Mody, Project Head for the Indian Cricket League said, "It is a matter of great pleasure to see these 51 players joining the Indian Cricket League. These players will join the six teams of the inaugural Indian Cricket League. They will be provided with necessary infrastructure, guidance and training to compete at the highest level." Adding further he said, "We believe that each of these players, represent the best of cricketing talent in the country & internationally. We will continue to search for further talent with killer instinct that can take India to the next level. We now see the teams that will play in the ICL tournament later this year, finally taking shape."

Mr. Kapil Dev, Chairman-Executive Board, Indian Cricket League said, "It is heartening to see players of such caliber and enthusiasm join the Indian Cricket League in its very first edition. We are sure that with these players’ capabilities, we will have an exciting tournament ahead."

He further added, "The Indian Cricket League will provide the best platform to the cricketers to showcase their talent and ability to a global audience. This will be a league run by cricketers for cricketers."

Mr. Kiran More, Member-Executive Board, ICL, "I am extremely happy to induct these cricketers into the ICL. I have followed the progress of each of these cricketers from the beginnings of their careers, and I know they possess the killer instinct which is the foundation of the ICL. The players will be conditioned to showcase power and speed on the field, as we can no longer afford to buckle under pressure of competition. Our international stars alongside young promise, is a perfect recipe for the future of Indian cricket."

About the ICL

The ICL will involve young talented players being identified from all over India, being trained to compete at the highest levels and then playing for their respective regions alongside top international stars. The ICL will also make a foray in creating nation wide infrastructure (cricket academies) which will be equipped with state of the art facilities headed by international / domestic coaches under the supervision of a national director of academies.