5 players from IPL 2015 who once played in the ICL

The concept of a world-class T20 league had been originally introduced in India through the Indian Cricket League (ICL) in 2007. But it couldn’t quite take off due to the lack of support from sponsors and the BCCI.Later, the BCCI came up with their own T20 tournament in the form of the Indian Premier League, consisting of all the prominent cricket players from India and across the world. To make matters worse, the players who were involved in ICL were banned from playing any format of cricket.Some of the affected players have revived their careers after removal of the ban and have been part of the domestic cricket set-up as well as the IPL. They have even fortified their place in the respective franchises on the basis of their great display in the league.Following is the list of players who were a part of the ICL and are now plying their trade in the IPL.

#5 Abu Nechim (RCB)

The right-arm fast bowler Abu Nechim had made his debut in domestic cricket at the age of 17. He could have climbed up the ladder quicker with his talent, but he opted to play in the ICL which brought a pause to his career’s progress.

He scalped 21 wickets in the 24 matches he played for the Royal Bengal Tigers. Once the ICL was scrapped, he continued playing domestic cricket as the BCCI lifted the ban on him. He performed well in Ranji cricket which attracted the Mumbai Indians scouts, and they signed him up in 2010.

Nechim has been playing for the Royal challengers Bangalore since the 2014 edition of IPL.

IPL stats: Inns – 16, wkts – 12

ICL stats: Inns – 24, wkts – 21

#4 Dishant Yagnik (Rajasthan Royals)

Dishant Yagnik, a left-handed wicket-keeper batsman from Rajasthan, moved to the Delhi Giants in 2007 which prevented him from playing any BCCI sponsored domestic competition. He couldn’t perform well with the bat though, with the exception of one half-century.

Later, BCCI offered him amnesty which he accepted to revive his career. Things didn’t go too well with his comeback as he had to struggle a lot to find a place in the team. Fortunately, he played some good knocks in the 2010 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy which brought him a call from the Rajasthan Royals.

IPL stats: Inns – 17, runs – 170, SR – 124.09

ICL stats: Inns – 8, runs – 115, SR – 107.48

#3 Karanveer Singh (Kings XI Punjab)

Karanveer was one of the players who had left his domestic Ranji team for the ICL. The Chandigarh Lions team selected him in their squad as they valued his skillful bowling . But he made it to the final 11 only on a few occasions since he lacked experience.

He was exempted by BCCI from the charges of playing in the ICL and has been playing domestic cricket for Himachal Pradesh since then. Kings XI Punjab picked him up during last year’s auction and he has impressed one and all whenever he has been given a chance in the playing XI.

IPL stats: Inns – 6, wkts – 11

ICL stats: Inns – 9, wkts – 5

#2 Stuart Binny (Rajasthan Royals)

Stuart Binny, one of the players who was part of the 2015 World Cup squad, was also one of the first players to join the rebel cricket league. The urge to play alongside top foreign players made him leave his domestic team Karnataka. He was chosen by the Hyderabad Heroes team as a young all-rounder.

He performed at his best in the league and scored at a strike rate of 140 while also taking 17 wickets. He then returned to domestic cricket when the ICL was scrapped and hasn’t looked back since, contributing tremendously for Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy. Eventually, the Rajasthan Royals picked him up for the 2010 edition and he has been the part of the team ever since.

IPL stats: Inns – 39, runs – 565, SR – 124.22, wkts – 12

ICL stats: Inns – 31, runs – 702, SR – 140.96, wkts – 17

#1 Ambati Rayudu (Mumbai Indians)

Ambati Rayudu was touted as the next great batting talent for Indian cricket when he debuted in the domestic scene with some superb knocks. But he made the shock move to ICL since he didn’t want to keep waiting to play for India. He signed up a contract with the Hyderabad Heroes team which continued till 2009.

Rayudu was dropped from the state team as he continued playing in the ICL and scored 825 runs in 37 innings. Later, he accepted the amnesty offer from BCCI and cancelled the contract with ICL in 2009.

The Mumbai Indians’ team management realised the potential of Rayudu and picked him up for the 2010 season. He has contributed with the bat brilliantly for his team since then and has been one of the top run-getters for the franchise.

IPL stats: Inns – 78, runs – 1723, SR – 124.22

ICL stats: Inns – 37, runs – 825, SR – 108.13