ICL was the first t20 league launched in India in 2007. It was the mastermind of Kapil Dev the first world cup winning captain of India. It was backed by the Zee group. This was because the BCCI was not very keen to launch a t20 league at that time as they did not approve of t20 cricket as a format and were apprehensive of the t20 world cup which was to be launched at that time. Kapil Dev backed his instinct and was sure that this format would be a hit. So, he launched the league with the help of Zee group. The league was a success as India had just won the t20 world cup that year which hooked the cricket fans to this new format. Seeing this BCCI planned to launch its own t20 league the IPL which was launched in 2008. Now since BCCI had money and power, they did not recognize the league and tried everything they could to stop its operations like banning the people who were associated with the league with from international cricket. ICL did have a decent three seasons in 2007 and 2008 but was discontinued after that as all cricketers associated with that league accepted the offer of the BCCI and their boards to terminate their ICL contract and comeback to representing their country. All the ICL cricketers came back into international cricket and their board domestic structure in 2009 thus all players except for Pakistani cricketers were free to play IPL from 2010 onwards. Pakistani cricketers were banned from IPL as the relations between both the countries had taken a hit following the 26/11 Mumbai Bombing attack in 2008. ICL is history now as Kapil Dev has also reconciled with the BCCI in 2012 and has been part of the IPL commentary team at many times. Zee has also resolved its relations now with the BCCI and are one of the contenders to grab the broadcasting rights of Indian cricket which are up for sale this year. They also have the TV rights of the ICC events starting 2024. For the Indian market. Now let’s look at 10 cricketers who have played both the ICL and the IPL. They are as follows.
1. Shane Bond- New Zeland
Shane Bond the former New Zeland quick bowler played for the Delhi Giants in the ICL in 2007 to 2008. He was picked by Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2010 IPL auction. He played 8 games for the Franchise picking 9 wickets for them. This was his first and the last IPL experience as a player as he retired from international cricket that year. He made his international debut against Australia in 2001 and played his last international game in 2010.
2. Ambati Rayudu- India
Ambati Rayudu played for the Hyderabad heroes and ICL India in the ICL in from 2007 to 2008. He later played for the Mumbai Indians from 2010- 2017 and CSK from 2018 to 2023. He retired from Indian cricket this year after the conclusion of the IPL. He also played international cricket for India making his debut against Zimbabwe in 2013 and playing his last international game against Australia in 2019.
3. Stuart Binny- India
Stuart Binny played for the Hyderabad heroes and ICL India in the ICL from 2007 to 2008. He made his IPL debut in 2010 for the Mumbai Indians. He played in the IPL from 2010 to 2019. He played for Rajasthan Royals and Royel Challengers of Bangalore in the IPL. Rajasthan Royals 2011- 2015 2018 and 2019. Royal Challengers of Bangalore 2016-2017. He also played international cricket for India making his debut for the nation against New Zealand in 2014 and playing his last international game in 2016. He retired from Indian cricket in 2021.
4. Azhar Mahmood- Pakistan
Azhar Mahmood played in the ICL for Hyderabad heroes, Lahore Badashas and ICL Pakistan in the ICL from 2007 to 2008. He became a British citizen in 2011 which allowed him to be a part of the IPL as an English Cricketer. He played for Punjab Kings from 2012 to 2013 and Kolkata Knight Riders in 2015. He has retired from active cricket since 2016 and has been coaching various teams around the globe in various t20 leagues. He made his international debut for Pakistan in 1996 against India and played his last international game against Ireland in 2007
5. Justin Kemp- South Africa
Justin Kemp played for the Hyderabad Heroes in the ICL from 2007 to 2008. He played for the Chennai Superkings in the 2010 edition of the IPL. This was his first and the last experience of IPL as he was not part of the league thereafter. He played 5 games for CSK. He made his international debut against Sri Lanka in 2001 and played his last international game against Pakistan in 2007. He retired from active cricket in 2016.
6. Johan Van Der Wath- South Africa
Johan Van der wath played for the Mumbai Champs and ICL World in the ICL from 2007 to 2008. He made his IPL debut in 2011 for the Royal Challengers of Bangalore. This was his first and the final appearance in the league he played 3 matches in his IPL career. He made his international debut against Australia in 2006 and played his last international game against India in 2007. He retired from active cricket in 2014.
7. Rohan Gavaskar- India
Rohan Gavaskar played for Royal Bengal Tigers and ICL India in the ICL from 2007 to 2008. He played for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL in 2010. This was his first and last IPL experience. He played 2 games for the Knight Riders in the IPL. This was his last outing as an active cricketer as he had retired from domestic cricket in 2009. He has also played international cricket for the nation making his debut against Australia in 2004 and playing his last game against Pakistan in the same year. He works as a cricket expert presently on various platforms.
8. Reetinder Singh Sodhi- India
Reetinder Singh Sodhi played in the ICL for Chandigarh Lions and Ahmedabad Rockets. He played in the 2010 IPL for Punjab Kings. This was his first and the last appearance in the tournament. He played 3 games for Punjab Kings in the tournament. This was his final year in Indian cricket, and he retired after the 2010 domestic season. He has also played international cricket for India making his debut against Zimbabwe in 2000 and played his last game against West Indies in 2002 He plays in the legends league now.
9. Sridharan Sriram- India
Sridharan Sriram played in the ICL for Ahmedabad Rockets a team which was formed in 2008. He played in the IPL in 2010 for Royal Challengers Bangalore and for Delhi Capitals in 2011. He has played international cricket for the country making his debut against South Africa in 2000 and played his last game against Bangladesh in 2004.He retired from Indian cricket in 2012 and is now focussed on his coaching career.
10. Abu Nechim- India
Abu Nechim played for the Royal Bengal tigers in the ICL from 2007 to 2008. He played for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL from 2010 to 2013 and Royal Challengers of Bangalore from 2014 to 2016. He retired from Indian cricket this year He did not play for India.
So here are a few cricketers who have taken part in the t20 leagues which kickstarted the craze of the shortest format of international cricket in India. Although 16 years have passed since t20 cricket gained popularity in India and in today’s scenario t20 cricket is a cash cow for Indian cricket with many state level t20 tournaments are being held in India along with the IPL but these 2 leagues sowed the seeds for the giant which t20 cricket has become in India
