Date:07/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/07/stories/2007120760002500.htm

Sport - Cricket

The ICL is about giving opportunities: Kapil Dev

Vijay Lokapally

CHANDIGARH: Tejinder Pal ‘TP’ Singh was among the probables for the 2007 World Cup. His next appearance on a cricket field was at the Indian Cricket League here.

In a short span, he had taken the decision to give up his dream of representing the country and placed his faith in a competition that assured him playing opportunities, if not an India cap.

The case of TP is a sad reflection on the state of affairs in Indian cricket. He did not lose out for want of talent. He had the potential since he was making his presence felt by playing for Railways, a team that has struggled for recognition.

“It was a hard decision but I am so happy I took it. I knew for sure that the ICL would give me a platform to show my talent. My dream was always to compete in the company of international cricketers and the ICL has given me that opportunity,” said TP, who was contacted by former Test stumpers Kiran More and Bharat Reddy to sign up.

Highest run-getter

TP was the highest run-getter for India ‘A’ when it toured Australia for a four-nation series involving the development squads. India ‘A’ won the series and TP aggregated 430 runs.

“I was motivated to play for the country but I had to struggle for recognition despite performing,” said the all-rounder, whose electrifying fielding has been the talk of the ICL.

It was the desire of recognition that drove G. Vignesh, a promising seamer from Chennai, to give up a secure job and take the plunge.

Having made his debut for Tamil Nadu in 2003-04, he had played only eight first-class matches. Frustration had grown and so had anger at being denied. His family backed him and Vignesh chose to sign up with the ICL.

“I came to ICL for better exposure. I know here I would get to play more matches if I perform than I would have got with Tamil Nadu. I wanted to learn from the foreign greats. I wanted to interact with professional trainers. I am happy I have succeeded to a large extent,” said the soft-spoken Vignesh.

Learning process

It has been a pleasant learning process for the Tamil Nadu cricketer. “I have learnt the importance of staying together as a team and how to smile in tough times. How to set team’s goals and not individual marks. Discipline and focus have been the greatest gains for us from watching the foreign players from close,” Vignesh added.

Former Test batsman and India under-19 coach Pravin Amre would rave about an Assam youngster, Abu Nacheem. “Quality medium-pacer,” was how Amre rated Nacheem. But the young fast bowler, after seven tours with the India under-19 team, grew disillusioned with the system.

“Opportunities were hard to come despite honest efforts. Maybe I needed to perform better (at under-19) but I needed a stage to show my talent, to show what I am made of. The ICL has given me that. I am playing with some international players and learning. And I have no regrets,” said Nacheem.

As Kapil Dev observed the other day, “We are concentrating on providing facilities and a secure future to those who believe they had the talent and were not given the breaks. The ICL is about giving opportunities.”