INTERVIEWS

Dean Jones

We are in conversation with one of the premier Australian batsmen in the contemporary era and a member of the ICL executive board, Dean Jones.

How has the ICL has experience been so far Dean?
I think we have been lucky. The weather has been chilly at night and we have had rains but luckily when there aren’t any matches. We have had a few hiccups here and there but overall it has been a very successful event so far. I think everyone has been blown away by the quality of cricket, the size of the event, the bollywood entertainment along with it, some wonderful matches, some big hitting and the standard of television production.

Are you of the belief that 20:20 is the future of the sport?
I believe that the format will definitely surpass the others. We are going to have to coach the players differently. 20:20 is attracting new spectators to the sport. It is bringing women and children into the action. The ratings have gone through the roof. Our ratings have been most impressive as well. Especially, if you throw a musical performance in the middle of two matches, like we have been doing, there is all the more reason for the spectators to thoroughly enjoy themselves.

Could you tell us a little more about the role of the talent scouts in the ICL and the plans the league has pertaining the academy?
The best time to coach children is when they are between the ages of 13 to 16. Once they go past that age, it becomes difficult to coach them. The idea is to groom the young talent and give them the best possible facilities. We want to produce the best young cricketers in the country and believe that nurturing them in the grass root level will help the cause.

Structure of ICL

STRUCTURE OF ICL

• 6 teams to start with expansion to 16 teams by the third year
• Teams to represent the entire geography of the nation
• Start with the Twenty20 format and progress to the 50 over format
• Each team would have a dedicated support staff consisting of trainers, physiotherapist, dietician and a media manager
  

There will initially be six teams taking part in a league format that leads up to semi finals and finals. By the third year, the ICL promises to increase to 16 teams that comprehensively represent all of India. The matches will be held in both ODI as well as 20:20 format with all the teams playing home and away.
Each team will also have first and second division sides so as to maximize talent utilization. These teams will be regularly sent to international cricket playing nations so that psychologically they are well prepared to take on the world of cricket. The ICL will be run by an Executive Board which will comprise of the top names of Indian and international cricket, and have the final say in all matters of the league and be responsible for running it.
There will also be a Rules Committee and an umpires/match referees panel made up of internationally reputed names. Each ICL team will comprise a mixture of International and Indian budding cricketers. There will also be a mentor attached to each team who will function as the coach and main motivator for the individual team. This is most likely to be an ex-Indian cricketer from that particular region. There will also be physiotherapist, trainers and dieticians attached to each team to ensure fitness regimen.

About ICL

ABOUT ICL

India is now a global economic power with analysts predicting an excellent future for the country. Research suggests that by 2050, India would be among the top four global economies. The liberalisation policy has ignited entrepreneurial passions and catapulted India as a giant in sectors like IT and biotechnology.

Although India has emerged as an economic powerhouse, to be a true global power multifaceted excellence is the norm. Sport is an area where consistent performance and domination creates a global giant. India has to achieve it to be a true world power. The Essel group has taken an initiative in this frontier and the ICL is a step in this direction.

Cricket in India is a national obsession and a religion. It is a game which governs national pride and has fantastic following. Cricket is also the game where we are the closest to becoming a champion side. BCCI, the governing body of cricket in India provides contracts to just about 20 players which does not produce high quality large bench strength. Reserve bench strength can be produced by lifting the level of domestic cricket. This will help the youngsters acclimatize to the rigors of International cricket.

ICL's mission is to create a pool of high quality ideal cricketers with killer instinct needed to be champions. This group of players should be able to perform under the pressures of international cricket and make India a champion side.

The ICL has planned a 3D strategy to achieve this target.

'Discovery' the first stage involves the best talent scouts traveling across the country to identify and unearth the finest of talents on offer.

The second stage 'Diligence' would be carried out at specially built state of the art ICL residential academies across the country. The selected talent would undergo a strict training process at these academies. Their training would include skill based - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual modules. This training would be provided by seasoned professionals and would involve cutting edge sport science practices and traditional Indian sciences like Yoga

The third stage 'Display' is a professional cricket competition in a league format enabling the youngsters to display their prowess along and against the giants of world cricket.

The ICL would be run by a set of professionals with policies benchmarked against the best sports organizations globally. The executive board and other officials in ICL have a proven track record of managing sport especially cricket. Processes have been set in place to ensure transparency and high effectiveness.

Sport globally is a multi million dollar business. In the USA Sports related activities are the 11th largest contributor to the GDP. Sport has proven to be a very successful vehicle for corporates to associate with in furthering their commercial interests.

The ICL is keen to invite partners to move ahead in its goal. This document provides a description of the ICL and the various commercial opportunities and benefits associated with it. ICL looks forward to your partnership in propelling India as a global cricketing and sporting power.