Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Spin like this ICL cricketer Azar Mehamood gives bowling tips to teammates Kaushik Reddy and Babu Rao Yadav during a practice session

Some of the big names who are in Hyderabad right now include Pakistan’s Abdur Razzak and Azhar Mehmood, New Zealand’s Chris Harris, South Africa’s Nicky Boje, Sri Lanka’s Russell Arnold and coach Moin Khan who, not long ago, was Pakistan’s front line wicketkeeper.

For many of the players from Hyderabad including Ambati Rayudu, Vinay Kumar, Kaushik Reddy and others it will be a golden opportunity to play alongside some of the top level internationals and prove their mettle at the highest level.

And also earn the kind of money that they earlier could not have dreamt of.

Kaushik Reddy perhaps summed up the feeling among his Hyderabad teammates when he said that it is a totally new experience to be playing in the same team as Razzak, Inzamam and others. “We can learn so much. It will give a great boost to our game,” he said.

Former Tamil Nadu player Hemang Badani was of the opinion that this tournament will be the beginning of a new perspective of the sport. “Once the tournament sees some outstanding performances, it will become the talking point in cricket circles,” he said.

Among the organisers there is a steely determination to see the scheme become a big success in the near future.

They are aware that this is only the beginning and there will be several hurdles to overcome. But they have the confidence that with the right kind of approach and good organisation, the objectives are likely to be achieved.

Given the amount of discontent that prevails within several teams under the official domestic set up, there is every chance that many more young players may flock to the new breakaway league. That was one of the key reasons why no less than seven players form Hyderabad switched loyalties at the first opportunity.

And as for the cricket crazy fans, they don’t care who is organising the sport so long as they get to see their favourite stars in action and fireworks on the field. Already these ICL players have started attracting big crowds wherever they go in the twin cities. Numerous autograph hunters follow their footsteps. Clearly the fans are in a win-win situation.

Whether the ICL is able to attract more players and match the officially recognised tournaments or not, remains to be seen. But for the present, the players who have committed themselves, and also the fans, are all excited and are looking forward to some great cricket.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail