Magpie Sports Group to organize Indian Champions League

The Magpie Sports Group (MSG) announced on Monday (Sept 5) that a total of eight teams will take part in the upcoming inaugural edition of the Indian Champions League (ICL) which will be organised on the as a franchise based T20 tournament.

According to the Magpie Sports Group – the organisers of the ICL – Eight teams are listed as participating in this new version of the ICL, of no relation with Essel Group’s original ICL venture in 2007. These teams are Delhi Badshah, Indore Rockets, Mumbai Stars, Chennai Warriors, Hyderabad Riders, Bangalore Tigers, Lucknow Superstars and Chandigarh Heroes.

There is a list of current playing and retired foreign cricketers mentioned to be available on the Facebook page of the event, called ICL League. These names include Herschelle Gibbs, Sanath Jayasuriya, Chaminda Vaas, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Wayne Parnell, Jesse Ryder, Justin Kemp, Sean Williams, Daryll Tuffey, Hamilton Masakadza, Ravi Bopara, Ryan ten Doeshchate, Graham Onions, Tino Best and others.

The Sports Group says that other players interested to participate can try their luck in the trails. The first trails will be held at Moradabad at the TMU ground while the second trial will be held at the CMR ground in Hyderabad on September 12-13,” Magpie Sports Group Director Manish Kumar Choudhary told IANS.

“Each team will include four national level players. We will hold our first trial to select players for the ICL in Moradabad on September 9. Talented players from Moradabad and neighbouring areas can participate in the trials for the Lucknow Super Star team at the TMU ground in the city.

“We want to select players from the Ranji Trophy, first class and U-19 levels. Any player can come and give trial and try his luck,” he added. “Once players are selected for all the teams, all the ICL matches will be played in Dubai.” The tournament format will comprise a total of 52 matches, including the two semi-finals and the final, with eight franchises playing six matches each in the league stage.

The league has already come under the dark clouds. FICA (Federation of International Cricketers’ Association) has advised player not to participate in the league as it may hamper their career. The new league is scheduled to be hosted in Dubai in December-January.

The event has not been sanctioned and is currently deemed to be disapproved cricket under ICC Regulations. This directly suggests that the players who participate in the league will have to face hefty consequence as harsh as life bans.