Blog of an Unorthodox Loyalist

Looks likes the caste system is back and this time it is in a different religion, India’s religion, Cricket. Yes, current orders from BCCI confirm this. Not approving ICL was one thing, but asking players not to play with ICL players is simply ridiculous.

From Cricinfo.com, "The BCCI has cranked up the pressure on English counties that have employed players linked with the unauthorized Indian Cricket League (ICL) by "advising" its own players to not sign up with such teams.

Niranjan Shah, BCCI secretary, told Cricinfo that its contracted players - including VVS Laxman, Piyush Chawla and Ajit Agarkar - who have signed or are in the process of signing with English counties this season are being "advised" to pull out if the county has ICL players on its rolls.

"We don’t want our players in teams that have other players playing in unauthorized tournaments," Shah said.

Shah, however, clarified that "non-ICL" players from these county teams will be allowed to take part in the Indian Premier League (IPL) - Hampshire’s Dimitri Mascarenhas had played for Rajasthan Royals in the tournament’s first season" Read Full Story Here.

Now, isn’t it complete idiotness, players want to play, let them play. This all thing is for money. BCCI has done a lot for Indian Cricket but there is no use of this board being richest in the world. Look at Cricket Australia, they have such a competitive domestic structure that the players that come out of there are experienced enough to play International Cricket. Wandhy go far? In board’s IPL, Shane Marsh performed exceptionally well. And here, just today, I heared news of a bowler who bowls an average 135km/h but has not been given the chance he deserved. Not even Ranji Trophy. What can we say?

It’s all money game for board. One great example is of Kapil Dev. He is such a great player. But when he joined ICL, board behavoiur was, like idiots. When 25 years of India’s 83 World Cup completed, board was first hesitating to call Kapil. Isn’t it all money centered?

Now, "The ECB has allowed around 25 cricketers associated with ICL to represent 15 of its 18 counties after it faced legal action from the unauthorized league, which was backed by the country’s strong trade laws that protects the rights of individuals. Only Middlesex, Somerset and Essex have teams without any ICL players." What will be next step from the board? Let me guess,

1. They will ban Indian cricketers from talking with ICL players.
2. Next they will leave spies behind the players to see if they are in contact with ICL. If someone is found in ICL’s contact, he will be banned from Indian International Team and IPL for whole life.
3. They will impose ban on Indian players who watch ICL, even on TV.

Don’t be surprised if any of these steps are taken by BCCI. Things are sure to get worse with such attitude. What we have to do with all this? Let’s enjoy this drama.