Losing players to ICL a big blow: Vinod

The Hyderabad Cricket Association will not suggest to the State Government to deny allotment of any ground in the State for the Indian Cricket League (ICL).

“We have not been approached by anyone. Hence, there is no question of going out of the way and getting involved in this issue,” Labour Minister and HCA president G. Vinod told The Hindu. “They have only approached Principal Secretary S. N. Mohanty regarding getting on lease Lal Bahadur Stadium. We were not consulted. And, there is no question of my taking the initiative since I have to follow the BCCI guidelines in this regard. We will only abide by Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s advice if the situation merits such a scenario,” Mr. Vinod said.

Asked if given the option, would he advise the Government against leasing out the stadium to ICL, he said, “I cannot comment on that right now. Let us wait and see. I am not sure how the ICL will move forward in the coming months.”

Mr. Vinod says that the unfortunate developments in the wake of ICL could have been avoided if only it had discussed with the BCCI ways and means to promote cricket and discuss issues such as avoiding clash of schedules in the domestic calendar.

“If you look at the similar case in West Indies where a private individual is promoting the sport in a big way by pumping in huge sums of money, he is doing so with the consent of the West Indies Cricket Board,” the Minister said.

He confessed that the rebellion by the Hyderabad cricketers would definitely deal a huge blow and it would be a tough task in rebuilding the State team as also demanding a critical assessment of the issues raised by them.

“I am not alone in the HCA. The committee members have to debate on these issues along with the BCCI guidelines in the wake of ICL controversy,” he remarked.

“We have to really work hard. The next three to four months will be really tough as we cannot replace these cricketers straightway,” Vinod said.

Related Post
Butcher denies ICL link, Ramprakash not on radar
ICL questions BCCI’s use of national icons
ICL moves Delhi HC against BCCI
BCCI may still be bowled by ICL fee structure
ICL players excited about the new prospect
BCCI hikes domestic match fees
ICL may spend Rs 150 crore
BCCI gears up to meet threat from ICL
50 cricketers join ICL
Kapil promises to reveal ICL signups in a week
Former Under-19 skipper on ICL’s shopping list
Younis Khan rejects ICL offer
Political clout building in ICL's favour
Indian Cricket League launches official website
Cricket League can use Railway stadiums said Lalu