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December 16th, 2007, witnessed the conclusion of the first ever ICL Tournament in India. Essel Group’s head honcho, Subhas Chandra, along with leading personalities like Kapil Dev (Chairman of the ICL), termed the venture as extremely successful and promising.
The tournament included six teams (Exhibit 1) that had a concoction of Indian as well as foreign players. Some of the world’s most respected and outstanding cricketers like Chris Cairns, Lance Klusener, Brian Lara and Inzamam-ul-Haq were found to participate in the tournament. Chennai Superstars lifted the trophy while Chandigarh Lions finished as the Runners-up. It was reported that there were several more tournaments that the ICL (BCCI’s rebel) has planned to host in the year 2008. What were the factors that triggered the birth of the rebel called the Indian Cricket League? What have been the objectives behind the formation of ICL?

Exhibit 1

India’s World Cup Debacle

On April 3rd, 2007, Chandra announced the formation of the ICL (Exhibit 2). One important reason that was put forth by Chandra in this context was that he was empathetic about the disappointment caused to the Indian cricket fans due to the Indian team’s early exit from the World Cup 2007 held in the Caribbean Islands. Speaking on the occasion, Subhas Chandra opined, "It troubles me that the country with more than a billion cricket fans and a million cricket enthusiasts fairs so poorly at the international stage. A new approach must be taken for the sports to grow and prosper in the years ahead." ¹

Prior to the World Cup the Indian team was found to perform shabbily on the Protean soil both in the Tests as well as in the One-Dayers. Chandra observed, "We feel that despite cricket being a passion, a religion in this country, and despite it having great commercial players, BCCI has only 6 A-grade players signed up. Therefore, there is need for some united effort to create a talent pool.

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1 David Ruth, Broadcaster Launches Rebel Indian Cricket League, http://www.forbes.com/facesinthenews/2007/04/03/india-cricketleague-face-cx_rd_0403autofacescan02.html, April 3rd 2007.

* Contributed by -
Kisholoy Roy,
MBA (Marketing),
Content Editor, Infoedge Management Solutions.