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Kapil Dev to head ZEE cricket league

ZEE-Essel Group’s chairman Subhash Chandra has announced former international captains Kapil Dev and Tony Greig on the executive board of ZEE’s Indian Cricket League.

Exhilarated to be a part of the Indian Cricket league, Kapil Dev said that he is delighted and happy to be part of this form of cricket. He said, “I have personally played cricket for more than a decade and in the past 10 to 12 years I have realised how many people love this game.”

“I feel if we can continue the game at this level it will be really great and I am thankful to ICL for inviting me. I will try to give back what I have learnt from this game.”

The former chairman of selectors Kiran More too had a few words to speak. More said that he is happy to be part of ICL. He said, “I have worked with BCCI for four years and I have realized that there is enough talent in India.”

About ICL More said, “Indian Cricket League is going to be very competitive. And lot of international cricket stars are going to be part if it.”

He further mentioned that, “We (I and Kapil) have played a lot of cricket and we know what we can give to this format. We will be looking for a good challenge in India”.

Former Australian batsman Dean Jones too praised the format and said, “This format is a surprise to cricketing world.”

He said that he is proud to be part of the Executive board of ICL. “India has always been a challenge and I am happy to take up the toughest challenge of ICL,” the ace Aussie said.

Jones mentioned, “this format is going to be a feast for cricket lovers. This is a good opportunity to search talent from within the country.”

Commentator Tony Grieg who is the fourth member of the Executive board mentioned that, “My first reaction when I heard about Indian Cricket League was that how will it help Indian cricket. And for good performances, it is the quality of players that make the difference. And ICL will give young players a chance to perform. ICL is about opportunity to young India.”

He further added, “I have been there as a player and a commentator and I am aware of the passion in this country. I am sure ICL will create an avenue for young talent.”

To be set up with a corpus of Rs 100 cr, the ICL would have six teams or clubs in its initial year. Within 3 years the number of teams would be increased to 16. Each team in the league would have 4 international players. The league, an annual feature, is expected to take-off around October this year.

To achieve the said objectives, ZEE plans to set-up cricket academies equipped with state of the art facilities across the country. Sports medicine experts would be introduced to ensure fitness of players and a full���fledged record of their behaviour pattern, diet-plan and game stats would also be maintained. The group will also appoint talent scouts in all 35 states to hunt for young players to play in the ICL.