The BCCI's opposition to the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) is grounded
in its fear of being exposed as an inefficient organisation, feels legendary spinner
Bishan Singh Bedi.
"The BCCI cannot ban players for playing in the league. Suppose you are working
for a company and join another after some time, your former employers cannot stop
you from earning your livelihood. That's illegal," Bedi said on the sidelines
of a book release function here last night.
"Cricket is not their personal property and they have
no right to stop anybody from joining this league. Actually the board is scared
that if the ICL turns out to be a well organised event, then their own failures
would be exposed," he added.
The rebel series, scheduled in October, has invited the ire
of the BCCI which has threatened to ban players who align with the ICL from
representing the country.
Bedi felt though the ICL organisers are only trying to mint
money out of the country's obsession with cricket, players cannot be barred
from being a part of the league.
"I don't think it is something on the lines of Kerry Packer series,
so there should not be any objection in the first place. I don't know whether
this league would be good for the game in the long run but there is no harm
in allowing it to take place," he said.
Bedi also came out in support of National Cricket Academy chairman
Kapil Dev, who has been threatened with a sack for joining the league.
"I don't think it would be appropriate to take away his job on this ground,"
he said.
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