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New Delhi, July 23: The Indian Cricket League
(ICL) today received a huge boost with West Indian legend Brian
Lara signing up for the Essel Group's breakaway venture along
with a host of retired Indian players. The former West Indies
captain became the first high profile overseas cricketer to join
the parallel league which has not got recognition from Indian
Cricket Board (BCCI) or the world body (ICC).
Besides Lara, the ICL also contracted former
India all-rounder Madan Lal to coach its Delhi team and
Balwinder Singh Sandhu as Director of Academies. Former players
Rajesh Chauhan and Pranob Roy, who also served as BCCI selector,
were roped in as Talent Scouts. The ICL had earlier announced
the signing of India's 1983 World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev
as its Chairman apart from Kiran More and Sandip Patil. But Lara
is the first big name to be signed as player for the ICL.
"It gives me great pleasure to join the
Indian Cricket League. You can't keep me too far from cricket
and hence I return to the game in this exciting new avatar that
the Essel Group has launched," Lara said in a statement issued
by the Essel Group. "I look forward to playing with promising
youngsters from India and elsewhere along with some of my
illustrious international counterparts who I've shared many an
exciting moment with on the field.
"I feel honoured to captain one of the ICL's
city teams, and hope to use my experience in taking that team to
victory in the inaugural ICL Trophy," he said. Announcing the
signings, Himanshu Mody, Project Head for the ICL said, "We are
extremely honoured to welcome Brian Lara to the ICL family.
Undoubtedly one of the greatest ever batsmen that the world has
seen, he brings his immense talent and experience to the ICL. "I
think the youngsters we are grooming for India's future will
benefit immensely from playing alongside him in the ICL."
On Lal's and Sandhu's role, Mody said, "Lal
brings with him years of experience ... I am sure that under his
tutelage, the Delhi team will produce future stars that will
shine bright in Indian cricket. "Sandhu with his wealth of
coaching youngsters at every level will ensure the right talent
gets channelled into the system and is then given the right
coaching and training." Lal was excited about his appointment.
"I am extremely happy to become a part of the
ICL. In the past I have played under Kapil Dev in the team of
1983 which had passion and pride. "In the role of a coach in the
ICL, I propose to inculcate character in the team and create a
brand of cricket which possesses killer instinct." Sandhu said,
"I endorse the structure and the system of the ICL. In the past
I have been the head coach at the NCA and have been the coach
for the U-19 team, both of which will stand me in good stead in
performing my duties." (Agencies)
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