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Kapil Dev

Mumbai May 14 Former Indian captain Kapil Dev will head the Executive Board of India Cricket League promoted by the Essel Group. Other members of the board are the ex-chairman of the selection committee of BCCI, Kiran More, former England captain Tony Greig, and the Australian cricketer-turned-commentator Dean Jones.

The Mumbai-based IL&FS will provide infrastructure support.

At a press conference, Mr Himanshu Modi, Business Head of Zee Sports, said, "We expect to start the matches by end 2007. The telecast rights would in all probability go to Zee or Ten Sports (owned by Zee)." By offering space to young and budding cricketers across the country, India Cricket League is expected to help BCCI seed the game.

"The bigger objective behind forming the league is to help cricketers play for the country. We expect the BCCI to benefit from the formation of this league," said Kapil Dev.

The India Cricket League will be shortly signing commercial contracts with cricketers. Specified Mr Modi, "While we would be signing commercial contracts with cricketers, they would be free to play for matches set down by BCCI."

Seemingly, India Cricket league may not run into BCCI, the private body manning Indian cricket even as there are some who are not so sure. What is certain is Indian cricket will be tended by a second private outfit.

The India Cricket League matches would get marketed like any other cricket tournament and Mr Gaurav Seth, Vice-President-Marketing, Zee Sports, said, "There would be innovation as it is a brand new concept, which has to appeal to advertisers. It has to be a commercially viable proposition for us.''

Elaborating on the role of the Executive Board, Mr Subhash Chandra, Chairman Essel Group, in a press release said, "The responsibilities of the Executive Board include formation of six teams. It would lay down playing conditions, prepare pitches and create innovations to revolutionise the game."

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