Gradual announcement of ICL viz. Indian Champions League founded by former Indian Cricket Caption, Kapil Dev along with other former cricketers, opened avenues for Indian cricketers who were sidelined by BCCI in addition to other foriegn players. After rigourous declaration and introduction of ICL to the media, BCCI accepted the challenge and declared that the players joining ICL wont be allowed to play for Indian Cricket Team. Till this announcement many players had joined big names like Inzy, Lara marketed things for ICL. Many players who didnot fair well with the Indian team and lost their chance also joined ICL. ICL would give them opportunity to play with international players along with some heavy match fees.
BCCI indicated the launch of IPL viz. Indian Premier League with big players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, Murlitharan, Jayasurya, Hayden, Symonds, Ponting and a lot of top notch international players. Yet it wasnt sure that whether BCCI would allow ICL players to play for Indian Team and the controversy is still on.
Success of ICL ??
Was ICL really successful?? Atleast I didnt see much of the matches. Nor did I hear things about ICL much as I have been hearing about IPL even before it started off.
What did actually go wrong with ICL??
The planning was too broad… They gotin all the teams in at a go. Unlike IPL who kept limited teams and worked on the quality. ICL had a clear aim ie. MONEY/BUSINESS. They could had done well by mixing in pakistani players in the existing teams instead of making a separate team altogether. They also selected ZEE Sports as their broadcasting medium which didnot take them to many TV sets like other channels like Sony or DD Sports could do. Absense of top notch players also made a lot off difference.
What went right with IPL??
IPL had the major advantage and that it was a brand was worlds wealthiest cricket board, BCCI in addition to big players like Sachin,Saurav,Dravid,Kumble, Warne, Brett Lee, Ponting, Hayden, Symonds, Smith, Pollock and many big names in international cricket… Besides this IPL also opened doors for former and well as Under19 players who were bestowed with cricketing talent.
The next imortant feature BCCI provided was a limited number of teams to start with and thier auction. This really brought in more money, for the event as well as for the players. First all teams were set for auction and the most expensive bid was Mukesh Ambani’s for Mumbai team which then he named as Mumbai Indians. Shahrukh Khan, Preety Zinta and Sothie Stars too didnt stay back. Vijay Mallya was also in the race. The teams were alloted, and the names were declared. Player were selected based on the auction too!! Lot of money huh!!! Money was speaking through the IPL selections. The publicity means of IPL were stronger. In addition to the big fat publicity of the IPL as an event, Each team has their own commercials running through the channels. Shahrukh and Priety publicized them in quite glamorous styles. Wheres as Ambani and Mallya didnt stay back too.
The whole IPL banner involved a lot of money and glamour. To speak about professionalism, it spoke too…. each team was to have an official coach, physio and all the othr ammenities which international teams get. One more good thing that happened with IPL was introduction of new INTERNATIONAL cricket ground at New Mumbai. The new and much in talk D.Y. Patil Sports Complex Stadium was to make its debut with International players during IPL.