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[Cover Point]

Not Detroit vs NY but Chandigarh vs Delhi.

The game is just a day or so away. Time to get into the swing of things

Lions: http://indiancricketleague.in/teams/teams-profile/chandigarh-lions.html

will take on

Jets: http://indiancricketleague.in/teams/teams-profile/delhi-jets.html

Lions are led by the awesome Chris Cairns and have internationals Andrew Hall, Tuffey, Hamish Marshall, Dinesh Mongia, Imran Farhat, Reetendar Singh Sodhi and T P Singh.

 A real formidable lineup.

My Delhi team counters with Srilankan Attapatu who will lead a team that is sure to be called underdogs. He will be competently supported by Pakistan opener Taufiq Umar, South African veteran Dale Benkenstein and Irish batsman Niall O'Brien. Paul Nixon and JP Yadav will add to the above list to make up the faces with international experience.

With Madan lal as the coach you can expect a few 'ghisarpitti' balls to surprise the batsmen.

Let the fun begins and Go Jets!!!

[Dayal Baba]

Not Detroit vs NY but Chandigarh vs Delhi.

The game is just a day or so away. Time to get into the swing of things

Lions: http://indiancricketleague.in/teams/teams-profile/chandigarh-lions.html

will take on

Jets: http://indiancricketleague.in/teams/teams-profile/delhi-jets.html

Lions are led by the awesome Chris Cairns and have internationals Andrew Hall, Tuffey, Hamish Marshall, Dinesh Mongia, Imran Farhat, Reetendar Singh Sodhi and T P Singh.

 A real formidable lineup.

My Delhi team counters with Srilankan Attapatu who will lead a team that is sure to be called underdogs. He will be competently supported by Pakistan opener Taufiq Umar, South African veteran Dale Benkenstein and Irish batsman Niall O'Brien. Paul Nixon and JP Yadav will add to the above list to make up the faces with international experience.

With Madan lal as the coach you can expect a few 'ghisarpitti' balls to surprise the batsmen.

Let the fun begins and Go Jets!!!

what relevance does the word jets have with delhi?

[Cover Point]

Real sad. There is no interest at all in the ICL.

Indian cricket deserves the BCCI monopoly. When we have fans like us who dont take interest in anything but the BCCI sponsored cricket then why would they need to change.

I think we YOU should all just stop complaining about anything done by the board. Forget another sport, a rival league itself does not even generate any interest even on a DG dedicated to cricket then we know we are just supporting BCCI.

A ganguly thread (or a misspelled Kolkata thread) would have genered 500 responses by now but there is absolutely NO interest in ICL.

Shame really.

[poondu]

I am rooting for Chennai Superstars and Mumbai Champs(Brian Lara only).

The promo for Chennai is really hilarious.

[dhruvdeepak]

"We've invited filmstars, politicians and other VIPs. The Haryana chief minister is the chief guest on the opening day. He will be addressing the audience. Kareena Kapoor will be dancing too. Yana Gupta is scheduled to perform on one of the days. We'll have our Sa Re Ga Ma Pa stars (winners of the television reality show) too. The Band of Boys will play almost every day."

[Blwe_torch]

I am supporting Chandigarh and Kolkata.................hope atleast one of them play the finals!

[justforkix]

I am rooting for Chennai Superstars and Mumbai Champs(Brian Lara only).

The promo for Chennai is really hilarious.

Me too - The Chennai Ad reminds me of the movie Chennai-600028 

[kingcool1432]

Real sad. There is no interest at all in the ICL.

Indian cricket deserves the BCCI monopoly. When we have fans like us who dont take interest in anything but the BCCI sponsored cricket then why would they need to change.

I think we YOU should all just stop complaining about anything done by the board. Forget another sport, a rival league itself does not even generate any interest even on a DG dedicated to cricket then we know we are just supporting BCCI.

A ganguly thread (or a misspelled Kolkata thread) would have genered 500 responses by now but there is absolutely NO interest in ICL.

Shame really.

Thats because Gangulians don't care about things their lord doesn't play in, of course. I'm surprised you didn't come up with this one

[dextrous]

Real sad. There is no interest at all in the ICL.

Indian cricket deserves the BCCI monopoly. When we have fans like us who dont take interest in anything but the BCCI sponsored cricket then why would they need to change.

I think we YOU should all just stop complaining about anything done by the board. Forget another sport, a rival league itself does not even generate any interest even on a DG dedicated to cricket then we know we are just supporting BCCI.

A ganguly thread (or a misspelled Kolkata thread) would have genered 500 responses by now but there is absolutely NO interest in ICL.

Shame really.

Thats because Gangulians don't care about things their lord doesn't play in, of course. I'm surprised you didn't come up with this one

Does that mean we'll become a veteran's cricket DG after Ganguly retires in 2011 (after winning the WC)?!

[natty]

Ultimately its about entertainment.  Zee is apparently showing the first 30 minutes of EVERY match on ALL of their channels.  Thats a huge exposure to people who may never have watched cricket on any regular basis.  The question then becomes: Is it entertainment? and Will people identify with the teams?  Yes to the first and Not sure about the second.  This is either going to flop really badly or going to hit it off pretty well..

Its pretty obvious that this format would have succeeded IF the BCCI hadnt put a spanner in the ICL setup.  Even now, I think it has a chance.  Zee also plans dedicated soccer and cricket channels.  It seems they are in this for the long haul (as sports broadcasters, if not league organizers).

[Cover Point]

Real sad. There is no interest at all in the ICL.

Indian cricket deserves the BCCI monopoly. When we have fans like us who dont take interest in anything but the BCCI sponsored cricket then why would they need to change.

I think we YOU should all just stop complaining about anything done by the board. Forget another sport, a rival league itself does not even generate any interest even on a DG dedicated to cricket then we know we are just supporting BCCI.

A ganguly thread (or a misspelled Kolkata thread) would have genered 500 responses by now but there is absolutely NO interest in ICL.

Shame really.

Thats because Gangulians don't care about things their lord doesn't play in, of course. I'm surprised you didn't come up with this one

Does that mean we'll become a veteran's cricket DG after Ganguly retires in 2011 (after winning the WC)?!

I think we should go ahead and the change the name of the DG to GangulyVoice. Despite the sarcasm my point above was true. If I had made the post criticizing Ganguly for anything we would have gotten 500 responses.

I dont see any excitement for the ICL. It will probably die a natural death after this one off tournament and we will be back to the monopoly of BCCI. Dont they say we deserve what we get?

[Blwe_torch]

Ultimately its about entertainment.  Zee is apparently showing the first 30 minutes of EVERY match on ALL of their channels.  Thats a huge exposure to people who may never have watched cricket on any regular basis.  The question then becomes: Is it entertainment? and Will people identify with the teams?  Yes to the first and Not sure about the second.  This is either going to flop really badly or going to hit it off pretty well..

Its pretty obvious that this format would have succeeded IF the BCCI hadnt put a spanner in the ICL setup.  Even now, I think it has a chance.  Zee also plans dedicated soccer and cricket channels.  It seems they are in this for the long haul (as sports broadcasters, if not league organizers).

ICL is still the underdog.........and I hope, despite the slow start they hit off the appropriate format. I am rather optimistic abt this venture, bad initial publicity notwithstanding.................anything but the BCCI!
The City format may actually work..........u never know. Earlier in the 60s foreigners were imported to represent our zonal teams...........and the idea was a hit.
ICL will gain momentum soon.

On the flip side, I find it rather odd to find myself on the same page with CP! ................oh...where is BCCI? SOS to BCCI!

[dhruvdeepak]

Real sad. There is no interest at all in the ICL.

Indian cricket deserves the BCCI monopoly. When we have fans like us who dont take interest in anything but the BCCI sponsored cricket then why would they need to change.

I think we YOU should all just stop complaining about anything done by the board. Forget another sport, a rival league itself does not even generate any interest even on a DG dedicated to cricket then we know we are just supporting BCCI.

A ganguly thread (or a misspelled Kolkata thread) would have genered 500 responses by now but there is absolutely NO interest in ICL.

Shame really.

Thats because Gangulians don't care about things their lord doesn't play in, of course. I'm surprised you didn't come up with this one

Does that mean we'll become a veteran's cricket DG after Ganguly retires in 2011 (after winning the WC)?!

I think we should go ahead and the change the name of the DG to GangulyVoice. Despite the sarcasm my point above was true. If I had made the post criticizing Ganguly for anything we would have gotten 500 responses.

I dont see any excitement for the ICL. It will probably die a natural death after this one off tournament and we will be back to the monopoly of BCCI. Dont they say we deserve what we get?

so basically because the bcci is so bad, we need to suck on any mediocre thing that comes along no matter what a shambles of a state it is in?  im sorry but with something like this you cant manufacture interest for an unrealized product. show me the quality of cricket then i will follow. till then one cannot but help be skeptical. i will watch but i will not jump up and down till i see something worth doing so

[justforkix]

I think we should go ahead and the change the name of the DG to GangulyVoice. Despite the sarcasm my point above was true. If I had made the post criticizing Ganguly for anything we would have gotten 500 responses.

I dont see any excitement for the ICL. It will probably die a natural death after this one off tournament and we will be back to the monopoly of BCCI. Dont they say we deserve what we get?

Surely, you must be kidding if you expect people to be excited with ICL with a Ind-Pak test match starting a few hours before the ICL !!!!

It has nothing to do with liking Ganguly or supporting BCCI

[dhruvdeepak]

here we go. i think this might be the first encouraging thing about the ICL i have seen...

http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/icl/content/current/story/322817.html

Jazzy television coverage is expected too - GPS devices being attached to players, displaying their heart-beat rates, body temperatures etc. A giant screen has been installed and disco-like arrangements have been set up on the stage. The first half-hour of all games will be shown across all channels of the Zee network. "Switch on the TV and see what we can do to Indian domestic cricket," seems to be the message. There was a suggestion that the third umpire will call no-balls but the umpires - four first-class umpires from England - have apparently insisted that their job remains the same.

Rains aren't expected but in case matches are curtailed it won't be the Duckworth-Lewis system being used. Instead the organisers have chosen the Jayadevan method, an Indian version that has been trialled in domestic competitions.

Another new rule to be enforced is that even if a batsman has made his ground, there will be no overthrows after the ball hits the stumps in an attempted run-out.

[Blwe_torch]

Real sad. There is no interest at all in the ICL.

Indian cricket deserves the BCCI monopoly. When we have fans like us who dont take interest in anything but the BCCI sponsored cricket then why would they need to change.

I think we YOU should all just stop complaining about anything done by the board. Forget another sport, a rival league itself does not even generate any interest even on a DG dedicated to cricket then we know we are just supporting BCCI.

A ganguly thread (or a misspelled Kolkata thread) would have genered 500 responses by now but there is absolutely NO interest in ICL.

Shame really.

Thats because Gangulians don't care about things their lord doesn't play in, of course. I'm surprised you didn't come up with this one

Does that mean we'll become a veteran's cricket DG after Ganguly retires in 2011 (after winning the WC)?!

I think we should go ahead and the change the name of the DG to GangulyVoice. Despite the sarcasm my point above was true. If I had made the post criticizing Ganguly for anything we would have gotten 500 responses.

I dont see any excitement for the ICL. It will probably die a natural death after this one off tournament and we will be back to the monopoly of BCCI. Dont they say we deserve what we get?

so basically because the bcci is so bad, we need to suck on any mediocre thing that comes along no matter what a shambles of a state it is in?  im sorry but with something like this you cant manufacture interest for an unrealized product. show me the quality of cricket then i will follow. till then one cannot but help be skeptical. i will watch but i will not jump up and down till i see something worth doing so

I agree with you..........lets not jump before the show starts. Lets wait for quality cricket to start. I am more interested in the cricket rather than the glitz and ratzmataz.

[cricinfo]

Real sad. There is no interest at all in the ICL.

Indian cricket deserves the BCCI monopoly. When we have fans like us who dont take interest in anything but the BCCI sponsored cricket then why would they need to change.

I think we YOU should all just stop complaining about anything done by the board. Forget another sport, a rival league itself does not even generate any interest even on a DG dedicated to cricket then we know we are just supporting BCCI.

A ganguly thread (or a misspelled Kolkata thread) would have genered 500 responses by now but there is absolutely NO interest in ICL.

Shame really.

Some people have tremendous energy ...dont feel like writing the rest , refer to the thread where Book of Ultimate Truth  keeper talks about  wastage of energy  ...

[Cover Point]

Real sad. There is no interest at all in the ICL.

Indian cricket deserves the BCCI monopoly. When we have fans like us who dont take interest in anything but the BCCI sponsored cricket then why would they need to change.

I think we YOU should all just stop complaining about anything done by the board. Forget another sport, a rival league itself does not even generate any interest even on a DG dedicated to cricket then we know we are just supporting BCCI.

A ganguly thread (or a misspelled Kolkata thread) would have genered 500 responses by now but there is absolutely NO interest in ICL.

Shame really.

Thats because Gangulians don't care about things their lord doesn't play in, of course. I'm surprised you didn't come up with this one

Does that mean we'll become a veteran's cricket DG after Ganguly retires in 2011 (after winning the WC)?!

I think we should go ahead and the change the name of the DG to GangulyVoice. Despite the sarcasm my point above was true. If I had made the post criticizing Ganguly for anything we would have gotten 500 responses.

I dont see any excitement for the ICL. It will probably die a natural death after this one off tournament and we will be back to the monopoly of BCCI. Dont they say we deserve what we get?

so basically because the bcci is so bad, we need to suck on any mediocre thing that comes along no matter what a shambles of a state it is in?  im sorry but with something like this you cant manufacture interest for an unrealized product. show me the quality of cricket then i will follow. till then one cannot but help be skeptical. i will watch but i will not jump up and down till i see something worth doing so

So the question is what comes first?

Maybe the more important question is how fed up are we really with the BCCI? If we feel that their monopoly annoys us enough we would make an effort to support the competition. Even a mediocre (or poor) competition for the BCCI can only do Indian cricket good.

If I were in India I would love to go to these games ... if nothing else this would be an action that I can take to show my displeasure with the BCCI functioning.

A few months ago we were bemoaning that as fans we have no choice. We have to either take what BCCI doles us or option is to miss out on cricket. Here is a way we can affect BCCI's attitude. Without giving up anything. Just by supporting a rival league we can force them to be a bit more professional.

When the ICL started out BCCI  was forced to do something. They created the IPL. I am not sure that is good or bad for Indian cricket BUT atleast BCCI did something.

We have talked about fans going to court to force BCCI's hand. We have talked about the frustrations of lack of action.

This is an easier way. All it takes is showing support for something other than BCCI cricket. Least we can do ... if we really believe that BCCI needs a kick up its ass.
The least the discerning fans can do is to support some competiton and make/force some changes in BCCI

[Cover Point]

Real sad. There is no interest at all in the ICL.

Indian cricket deserves the BCCI monopoly. When we have fans like us who dont take interest in anything but the BCCI sponsored cricket then why would they need to change.

I think we YOU should all just stop complaining about anything done by the board. Forget another sport, a rival league itself does not even generate any interest even on a DG dedicated to cricket then we know we are just supporting BCCI.

A ganguly thread (or a misspelled Kolkata thread) would have genered 500 responses by now but there is absolutely NO interest in ICL.

Shame really.

Some people have tremendous energy ...dont feel like writing the rest , refer to the thread where Book of Ultimate Truth  keeper talks about  wastage of energy  ...

Did u see my thread on Ganguly picking his nose? It may still be there in the VIP section. Just for you

[OldPal]

ICL home on cricinfo:

http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2007-08/OTHERS/ICL/

[justforkix]

So the question is what comes first?

Maybe the more important question is how fed up are we really with the BCCI? If we feel that their monopoly annoys us enough we would make an effort to support the competition. Even a mediocre (or poor) competition for the BCCI can only do Indian cricket good.

If I were in India I would love to go to these games ... if nothing else this would be an action that I can take to show my displeasure with the BCCI functioning.

A few months ago we were bemoaning that as fans we have no choice. We have to either take what BCCI doles us or option is to miss out on cricket. Here is a way we can affect BCCI's attitude. Without giving up anything. Just by supporting a rival league we can force them to be a bit more professional.

When the ICL started out BCCI  was forced to do something. They created the IPL. I am not sure that is good or bad for Indian cricket BUT atleast BCCI did something.

We have talked about fans going to court to force BCCI's hand. We have talked about the frustrations of lack of action.

This is an easier way. All it takes is showing support for something other than BCCI cricket. Least we can do ... if we really believe that BCCI needs a kick up its ass.
The least the discerning fans can do is to support some competiton and make/force some changes in BCCI

Am I happy that ICL is finally starting the tournament - YES

Am I excited about the ICL - NO.

Why? - Because a Ind-Pak test match starts 9 hours before the ICL !!!! IMO, the ICL tournament timing is very poor - playing the tournament during the Ind-Pak test series.

If ICL is able to provide quality cricket, then it will automatically become popular over time. Otherwise, it will become a flop. I don't think too many people can be forced to watch mediocre cricket.

[Cover Point]

So the question is what comes first?

Maybe the more important question is how fed up are we really with the BCCI? If we feel that their monopoly annoys us enough we would make an effort to support the competition. Even a mediocre (or poor) competition for the BCCI can only do Indian cricket good.

If I were in India I would love to go to these games ... if nothing else this would be an action that I can take to show my displeasure with the BCCI functioning.

A few months ago we were bemoaning that as fans we have no choice. We have to either take what BCCI doles us or option is to miss out on cricket. Here is a way we can affect BCCI's attitude. Without giving up anything. Just by supporting a rival league we can force them to be a bit more professional.

When the ICL started out BCCI  was forced to do something. They created the IPL. I am not sure that is good or bad for Indian cricket BUT atleast BCCI did something.

We have talked about fans going to court to force BCCI's hand. We have talked about the frustrations of lack of action.

This is an easier way. All it takes is showing support for something other than BCCI cricket. Least we can do ... if we really believe that BCCI needs a kick up its ass.
The least the discerning fans can do is to support some competiton and make/force some changes in BCCI

Am I happy that ICL is finally starting the tournament - YES

Am I excited about the ICL - NO.

Why? - Because a Ind-Pak test match starts 9 hours before the ICL !!!! IMO, the ICL tournament timing is very poor - playing the tournament during the Ind-Pak test series.

If ICL is able to provide quality cricket, then it will automatically become popular over time. Otherwise, it will become a flop. I don't think too many people can be forced to watch mediocre cricket.

But arent the same people being forced to watch poor to mediocre quality BCCI cricket and are at the mercy of the whims and fancies of the BCCI?

[justforkix]

But arent the same people being forced to watch poor to mediocre quality BCCI cricket and are at the mercy of the whims and fancies of the BCCI?

No. The quality of cricket in terms of talent, ability, shots, balls etc. are still reasonably high. Unless the ICL provides similar quality and doesen't make this into a soap opera, it will become popular and successful over time.

One of the newest welcome change by ICL - higher price money for MoM - 9000 USD !!!!

[OldPal]

I hope the MOM only go to desi lads ..
Foreign players have been given enough money

[LosingNow]

But arent the same people being forced to watch poor to mediocre quality BCCI cricket and are at the mercy of the whims and fancies of the BCCI?

No. The quality of cricket in terms of talent, ability, shots, balls etc. are still reasonably high. Unless the ICL provides similar quality and doesen't make this into a soap opera, it will become popular and successful over time.

One of the newest welcome change by ICL - higher price money for MoM - 9000 USD !!!!

Let's hold our views on quality till a few matches are played.

I just saw the pics of the ground.. it looks awful!!

[natty]

But arent the same people being forced to watch poor to mediocre quality BCCI cricket and are at the mercy of the whims and fancies of the BCCI?

No. The quality of cricket in terms of talent, ability, shots, balls etc. are still reasonably high. Unless the ICL provides similar quality and doesen't make this into a soap opera, it will become popular and successful over time.

One of the newest welcome change by ICL - higher price money for MoM - 9000 USD !!!!

Let's hold our views on quality till a few matches are played.

I just saw the pics of the ground.. it looks awful!!

I was concerned about the state of the ground..  However it looks like they are doing something about it..

 Panchkula (Haryana), Nov 29 - If the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex cricket stadium were a stock, it would have risen sharply in a handful of sessions. The stadium has undergone a complete makeover in a matter to about five weeks.

What stands here is a ground and a stadium that is comparable to any good cricketing ground even though its spectator capacity remains just over 6,000. The rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) wants to put up a spectacular show for its inaugural Twenty20 Indian championship.

'I have never seen things happen so fast. When I came here two days ago, there was nothing, just a lot of labourers. The stadium now has floodlights, stands, ground fencing, grass, a performance stage and the setting up of an electronic screen is almost complete. This is amazing,' pointed out a journalist from a leading Kolkata newspaper as he witnessed last minute activity in complete awe.

Rolls of grass were brought in by the organisers from nurseries neighbouring Chandigarh and Mohali also. Within a matter of hours they had been laid to give the place a lush green look.

The ground itself has a lush green look and the ICL management ensured the best in the business to do the pitches for the championship. 'We hired the best professionals from around the globe to do the square (pitches). I can assure you that the pitches will be extraordinary,' said Ashish Kaul, Executive Vice President of Essel group, which is promoting the ICL.

'We had a job at hand and we are happy to have accomplished that. Resources were never a problem but getting things are and putting them up was a race against time,' Kaul added.

The ICL took over the stadium in mid-Oct and was giving finishing touches to the entire stadium till Thursday, a day before its 17-day championship gets underway. The stadium offers a beautiful backdrop of the Himalayan range.

The newly made media box with state-of-the-art facilities is unique too - it is housed in shipping containers converted into a luxury facility from inside.

Foreign professionals could be seen lifting ladders, wires and other equipment to put things in place for the event along with the local labour force.

[Cover Point]

But arent the same people being forced to watch poor to mediocre quality BCCI cricket and are at the mercy of the whims and fancies of the BCCI?

No. The quality of cricket in terms of talent, ability, shots, balls etc. are still reasonably high. Unless the ICL provides similar quality and doesen't make this into a soap opera, it will become popular and successful over time.

One of the newest welcome change by ICL - higher price money for MoM - 9000 USD !!!!

Let's hold our views on quality till a few matches are played.

I just saw the pics of the ground.. it looks awful!!

Thats because of the monopoly of the BCCI on all decent grounds. It is also their random comments ... We can accept foreign players who play ICL but not domestic.

Compared to the BCCI, Mushy seems like a democratically elected saint and Bush seems intelligent!

[OldPal]

But arent the same people being forced to watch poor to mediocre quality BCCI cricket and are at the mercy of the whims and fancies of the BCCI?

No. The quality of cricket in terms of talent, ability, shots, balls etc. are still reasonably high. Unless the ICL provides similar quality and doesen't make this into a soap opera, it will become popular and successful over time.

One of the newest welcome change by ICL - higher price money for MoM - 9000 USD !!!!

Let's hold our views on quality till a few matches are played.

I just saw the pics of the ground.. it looks awful!!

I thought they have film stars and dancers .. Will you be looking inside the ground ?
I agree .. the pic is not encourging. thanks to BCCI for stopping all efforts for getting a decent ground to ICL.
I also have a feeling that for some reason ICL wanted tournament  held closer to Delhi preferably Chandigarh , for reasons not very clear to me .

[keep-it-cool]

I dont buy this logic that all of us have an obligation to support ICL just because it is competing with the BCCI. Zee/Chandra is not in this out of love for the game ... they are in this because it makes business sense ... and, rightly so. And, as a consumer, I will take a look at the options that are there in front of me .. and, if I find an option appealing, I will watch. Nothing more, nothing less.

Tomorrow, ESPN Star or Sony may decide to start a league ... and, obviously, will position that as one which does a lot for cricket and cricketers - so, we have an obligation towards that as well?

As things stand today, I think the ICL appears to be a poor cousin of the IPL ...and, given a choice, I would watch the latter. Even if a monopoly is abolished and a competitor comes in, the second entrant does not automatically deserve a franchise; he has to deliver a quality product first. And, quality is relative ... the Set Max Extra Innings was a big success because it was positioned towards a certain audience. However, I found it too irritating. Let us wait and see what form the ICL takes.

[Blwe_torch]

I dont buy this logic that all of us have an obligation to support ICL just because it is competing with the BCCI. Zee/Chandra is not in this out of love for the game ... they are in this because it makes business sense ... and, rightly so. And, as a consumer, I will take a look at the options that are there in front of me .. and, if I find an option appealing, I will watch. Nothing more, nothing less.

Tomorrow, ESPN Star or Sony may decide to start a league ... and, obviously, will position that as one which does a lot for cricket and cricketers - so, we have an obligation towards that as well?

As things stand today, I think the ICL appears to be a poor cousin of the IPL ...and, given a choice, I would watch the latter. Even if a monopoly is abolished and a competitor comes in, the second entrant does not automatically deserve a franchise; he has to deliver a quality product first. And, quality is relative ... the Set Max Extra Innings was a big success because it was positioned towards a certain audience. However, I found it too irritating. Let us wait and see what form the ICL takes.

Atleast now we have a choice. We are yet to see what ICL dishes out. But for the time being, lets give them the benefit of doubt............because the other default option that we are left holding with is the super-muck BCCI!

[keep-it-cool]

I dont buy this logic that all of us have an obligation to support ICL just because it is competing with the BCCI. Zee/Chandra is not in this out of love for the game ... they are in this because it makes business sense ... and, rightly so. And, as a consumer, I will take a look at the options that are there in front of me .. and, if I find an option appealing, I will watch. Nothing more, nothing less.

Tomorrow, ESPN Star or Sony may decide to start a league ... and, obviously, will position that as one which does a lot for cricket and cricketers - so, we have an obligation towards that as well?

As things stand today, I think the ICL appears to be a poor cousin of the IPL ...and, given a choice, I would watch the latter. Even if a monopoly is abolished and a competitor comes in, the second entrant does not automatically deserve a franchise; he has to deliver a quality product first. And, quality is relative ... the Set Max Extra Innings was a big success because it was positioned towards a certain audience. However, I found it too irritating. Let us wait and see what form the ICL takes.

Atleast now we have a choice. We are yet to see what ICL dishes out. But for the time being, lets give them the benefit of doubt............because the other default option that we are left holding with is the super-muck BCCI!

in terms of quality of cricket, I am quite certain I'll go for the "super muck" version .. let us see what they come up with.

[Blwe_torch]

I dont buy this logic that all of us have an obligation to support ICL just because it is competing with the BCCI. Zee/Chandra is not in this out of love for the game ... they are in this because it makes business sense ... and, rightly so. And, as a consumer, I will take a look at the options that are there in front of me .. and, if I find an option appealing, I will watch. Nothing more, nothing less.

Tomorrow, ESPN Star or Sony may decide to start a league ... and, obviously, will position that as one which does a lot for cricket and cricketers - so, we have an obligation towards that as well?

As things stand today, I think the ICL appears to be a poor cousin of the IPL ...and, given a choice, I would watch the latter. Even if a monopoly is abolished and a competitor comes in, the second entrant does not automatically deserve a franchise; he has to deliver a quality product first. And, quality is relative ... the Set Max Extra Innings was a big success because it was positioned towards a certain audience. However, I found it too irritating. Let us wait and see what form the ICL takes.

Atleast now we have a choice. We are yet to see what ICL dishes out. But for the time being, lets give them the benefit of doubt............because the other default option that we are left holding with is the super-muck BCCI!

in terms of quality of cricket, I am quite certain I'll go for the "super muck" version .. let us see what they come up with.

for the time being, u can afford to do so. But I am pretty sure the quality of cricket in ICL too will improve in due time.

[keep-it-cool]

I dont buy this logic that all of us have an obligation to support ICL just because it is competing with the BCCI. Zee/Chandra is not in this out of love for the game ... they are in this because it makes business sense ... and, rightly so. And, as a consumer, I will take a look at the options that are there in front of me .. and, if I find an option appealing, I will watch. Nothing more, nothing less.

Tomorrow, ESPN Star or Sony may decide to start a league ... and, obviously, will position that as one which does a lot for cricket and cricketers - so, we have an obligation towards that as well?

As things stand today, I think the ICL appears to be a poor cousin of the IPL ...and, given a choice, I would watch the latter. Even if a monopoly is abolished and a competitor comes in, the second entrant does not automatically deserve a franchise; he has to deliver a quality product first. And, quality is relative ... the Set Max Extra Innings was a big success because it was positioned towards a certain audience. However, I found it too irritating. Let us wait and see what form the ICL takes.

Atleast now we have a choice. We are yet to see what ICL dishes out. But for the time being, lets give them the benefit of doubt............because the other default option that we are left holding with is the super-muck BCCI!

in terms of quality of cricket, I am quite certain I'll go for the "super muck" version .. let us see what they come up with.

for the time being, u can afford to do so. But I am pretty sure the quality of cricket in ICL too will improve in due time.

and, i am doubtful ...

[Zacked]

Not sure if ICL will be better or IPL... but one thing is commendable ... Its starting today even with so many hurdles in between...

Anyway i am all for Zulu... which team is he in??

[Blwe_torch]

I dont buy this logic that all of us have an obligation to support ICL just because it is competing with the BCCI. Zee/Chandra is not in this out of love for the game ... they are in this because it makes business sense ... and, rightly so. And, as a consumer, I will take a look at the options that are there in front of me .. and, if I find an option appealing, I will watch. Nothing more, nothing less.

Tomorrow, ESPN Star or Sony may decide to start a league ... and, obviously, will position that as one which does a lot for cricket and cricketers - so, we have an obligation towards that as well?

As things stand today, I think the ICL appears to be a poor cousin of the IPL ...and, given a choice, I would watch the latter. Even if a monopoly is abolished and a competitor comes in, the second entrant does not automatically deserve a franchise; he has to deliver a quality product first. And, quality is relative ... the Set Max Extra Innings was a big success because it was positioned towards a certain audience. However, I found it too irritating. Let us wait and see what form the ICL takes.

Atleast now we have a choice. We are yet to see what ICL dishes out. But for the time being, lets give them the benefit of doubt............because the other default option that we are left holding with is the super-muck BCCI!

in terms of quality of cricket, I am quite certain I'll go for the "super muck" version .. let us see what they come up with.

for the time being, u can afford to do so. But I am pretty sure the quality of cricket in ICL too will improve in due time.

and, i am doubtful ...

You may be eligible for the 'Doubting Thomas' award of the DG 2007....Mr. BCCI Lover!

[keep-it-cool]

I dont buy this logic that all of us have an obligation to support ICL just because it is competing with the BCCI. Zee/Chandra is not in this out of love for the game ... they are in this because it makes business sense ... and, rightly so. And, as a consumer, I will take a look at the options that are there in front of me .. and, if I find an option appealing, I will watch. Nothing more, nothing less.

Tomorrow, ESPN Star or Sony may decide to start a league ... and, obviously, will position that as one which does a lot for cricket and cricketers - so, we have an obligation towards that as well?

As things stand today, I think the ICL appears to be a poor cousin of the IPL ...and, given a choice, I would watch the latter. Even if a monopoly is abolished and a competitor comes in, the second entrant does not automatically deserve a franchise; he has to deliver a quality product first. And, quality is relative ... the Set Max Extra Innings was a big success because it was positioned towards a certain audience. However, I found it too irritating. Let us wait and see what form the ICL takes.

Atleast now we have a choice. We are yet to see what ICL dishes out. But for the time being, lets give them the benefit of doubt............because the other default option that we are left holding with is the super-muck BCCI!

in terms of quality of cricket, I am quite certain I'll go for the "super muck" version .. let us see what they come up with.

for the time being, u can afford to do so. But I am pretty sure the quality of cricket in ICL too will improve in due time.

and, i am doubtful ...

You may be eligible for the 'Doubting Thomas' award of the DG 2007....Mr. BCCI Lover!

i will accept any award that comes my way ...

[justforkix]

I dont buy this logic that all of us have an obligation to support ICL just because it is competing with the BCCI. Zee/Chandra is not in this out of love for the game ... they are in this because it makes business sense ... and, rightly so. And, as a consumer, I will take a look at the options that are there in front of me .. and, if I find an option appealing, I will watch. Nothing more, nothing less.

Tomorrow, ESPN Star or Sony may decide to start a league ... and, obviously, will position that as one which does a lot for cricket and cricketers - so, we have an obligation towards that as well?

As things stand today, I think the ICL appears to be a poor cousin of the IPL ...and, given a choice, I would watch the latter. Even if a monopoly is abolished and a competitor comes in, the second entrant does not automatically deserve a franchise; he has to deliver a quality product first. And, quality is relative ... the Set Max Extra Innings was a big success because it was positioned towards a certain audience. However, I found it too irritating. Let us wait and see what form the ICL takes.

Atleast now we have a choice. We are yet to see what ICL dishes out. But for the time being, lets give them the benefit of doubt............because the other default option that we are left holding with is the super-muck BCCI!

in terms of quality of cricket, I am quite certain I'll go for the "super muck" version .. let us see what they come up with.

for the time being, u can afford to do so. But I am pretty sure the quality of cricket in ICL too will improve in due time.

and, i am doubtful ...

You may be eligible for the 'Doubting Thomas' award of the DG 2007....Mr. BCCI Lover!

So, anyone who is skeptical about ICL is Mr. BCCI Lover.

Shall we also call anyone who is excited about ICL a Mr. Mediocrity Lover ?

[dextrous]

I dont buy this logic that all of us have an obligation to support ICL just because it is competing with the BCCI. Zee/Chandra is not in this out of love for the game ... they are in this because it makes business sense ... and, rightly so. And, as a consumer, I will take a look at the options that are there in front of me .. and, if I find an option appealing, I will watch. Nothing more, nothing less.

Tomorrow, ESPN Star or Sony may decide to start a league ... and, obviously, will position that as one which does a lot for cricket and cricketers - so, we have an obligation towards that as well?

As things stand today, I think the ICL appears to be a poor cousin of the IPL ...and, given a choice, I would watch the latter. Even if a monopoly is abolished and a competitor comes in, the second entrant does not automatically deserve a franchise; he has to deliver a quality product first. And, quality is relative ... the Set Max Extra Innings was a big success because it was positioned towards a certain audience. However, I found it too irritating. Let us wait and see what form the ICL takes.

Atleast now we have a choice. We are yet to see what ICL dishes out. But for the time being, lets give them the benefit of doubt............because the other default option that we are left holding with is the super-muck BCCI!

in terms of quality of cricket, I am quite certain I'll go for the "super muck" version .. let us see what they come up with.

for the time being, u can afford to do so. But I am pretty sure the quality of cricket in ICL too will improve in due time.

and, i am doubtful ...

You may be eligible for the 'Doubting Thomas' award of the DG 2007....Mr. BCCI Lover!

So, anyone who is skeptical about ICL is Mr. BCCI Lover.

Shall we also call anyone who is excited about ICL a Mr. Mediocrity Lover ?

Actually, more than skeptical, kic has shown a disdain about the league since day 1 and i've had numerous arguments with him regarding the matter. of course, nothing wrong with that, just that he's a doubting thomas!

[keep-it-cool]

lol .. skeptical .. disdainful .. i dont know ... but, do i expect to see quality cricket out there? i dont. there will be flashes of brilliance and some excitement (which is more to do with the format), but it wont be something that i am dying to watch.

and, as i said, i have watched and followed zee enough to know that they will make a success out of it ... but not by virtue of the quality of cricket being played.

[justforkix]

lol .. skeptical .. disdainful .. i dont know ... but, do i expect to see quality cricket out there? i dont. there will be flashes of brilliance and some excitement (which is more to do with the format), but it wont be something that i am dying to watch.

and, as i said, i have watched and followed zee enough to know that they will make a success out of it ... but not by virtue of the quality of cricket being played.

Agree 100%