The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Wednesday (April 29) to lift the ban on players associated with Indian Cricket League (ICL) if they quit the rebel league. According to BCCI President Shashank Manohar, the decision was taken after a meeting with some ICL players and support staff. Informing more about the relaxation of sanctions, Manohar said that after quitting the ICL, the players will be barred from any international assignments for at least one year.

 

However, the players can immediately start playing in the domestic competition after cutting off the links with Subhash Chandra-owned ICL. Explaining the reason for not allowing the players to participate in any international competition, the BCCI president said that this decision has been taken to punish the players for joining the rebel league. The BCCI has given the amnesty time to players till May 31.

 

Zee Group owner Subhash Chandra launched the Indian Cricket League (ICL) after India's debacle in the ODI World Cup in the West Indies in 2007. ICL was the tournament which first brought Twenty20 format to India. The launch of ICL was never supported by BCCI. The players who got associated with the rebel league have found themselves banned from their respective state cricket associations. Even former India captain Kapil Dev was sacked from the post of chairman of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for aligning with the ICL.