Indian Cricket League (ICL) was a tournament which started in India even before the IPL. However, the BCCI and ICC termed it as a rebel league. Just like IPL, ICL followed a city-based franchise format but the way the matches happened in the tournament were different from IPL.
There were also teams from Lahore and Dhaka in that competition. Due to the dispute between BCCI and ICL owners, the BCCI announced that the players who associate themselves with the Indian Cricket League will be banned. Even the other cricket boards did not pick players who had deals with the ICL.
Eventually, the decision to sign with the ICL proved to be a huge error for the careers of the following six promising cricketers.
1. Hamish Marshall
New Zealand batter Hamish Marshall was one of the most successful batters in the league. However, he never played international cricket for the Blackcaps after turning up in the rebel competition.
2. ICL took some precious years from Shane Bond’s career
Another Kiwi to feature on the list is Shane Bond. The right-arm fast bowler was termed as a traitor. Finally, when his ban was lifted, injuries did not allow him to play regularly.
3. ICL took some important years from Justin Kemp’s career
Former South African all-rounder Justin Kemp was in his prime when he signed a deal with the Indian Cricket League. Like Bond, when his ban was lifted, he could not perform his best and lost some years of his international career.
4. Mohammad Sami
Pakistani pacer Mohammad Sami was one of the quickest bowlers of his time. While Sami made a comeback to the Pakistan team in mid-2010s, some fans believe that he would have been among the most successful fast bowlers of all time had he not linked himself with the rebel league.
5. Did ICL end Rohan Gavaskar’s career?
Rohan Gavaskar is the son of former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar. Some members of the cricket universe always feel that Rohan could have had a longer international career had he not signed with the Bengal franchise of the Indian Cricket League.
6. Aftab Ahmed
Aftab Ahmed was one of the main batters for Bangladesh during his prime. However, the BCB imposed a 10-year ban on players associated with the rebel league. Ahmed eventually retired at the age of 29 and is now playing in Road Safety World Series.
