Subhash Chandra: India’s Kerry Packer?
Almost 30 years after the Packer revolution hit world cricket, Indian media baron, Zee TV Chairman Subhash Chandra is all set to begin a parallel cricket league in the country.
He said the league will offer top prize money of $ 1 million, which is indeed quite decent enough to attract good players. There will be six teams of fourteen players each, and each team will have four international players and two current / ex-India players. The other eight members would be picked from the upcoming talent across India.
To make it even more professional, each team will have a coach, physio, and trainer, whereas the league will have a media manager, and someone to resolve issues that may crop up.
The BCCI confirmed that Chandra had approached them for permission and they were yet to decide on the matter.
With the people not knowing whether to vent their ire on the players, the coach or the BCCI for the abysmal World Cup performance, this kind of a league can really be the shot in the arm Indian cricket needs, more so to bring in fresh blood.
As yet, there is no clarity on whether players are eligible for both forms of the game, i.e playing for India or playing in the league, but Chandra is keeping his options open, and said there would be no restrictions imposed on players either way. He also dismissed suggestions of starting a parallel cricket board or trying to displace the BCCI in any way.
Whatever the outcome, and the way they decide to go ahead, these are indeed interesting times for Indian cricket.
Tags: Cricket, Subhash Chandra, Zee
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