5 ICL players who have reinvented themselves

The Indian Cricket League (ICL), a now defunct cricket tournament, was initiated in the year 2007 and earned the tag of being a ‘rebel’ league. This was because it was privately-owned and had not received a green signal from the BCCI as well as the ICC.Many cricketers had to detach themselves from their respective national sides and domestic structure in order to be a part of the ICL. BCCI and most the other boards all over the cricketing world cut themselves off from the players who were participating there.However, in 2009, the boards soon came up with an amnesty offer according to which players will have to spend one year in domestic cricket before coming into contention for the national team, one that most players accepted. Since then, a few of them have managed to reinvent themselves and redeemed their careers. Here are 5 such players:

#1 Ambati Rayudu

Rayudu fulfilled his dream of representing India in 2013

Ambati Rayudu was one of the brightest young stars in Indian cricket when he decided to leave for the ICL. Admittedly, Rayudu was attracted by the opportunity to rub shoulders with some international cricketing stars.

However, with his chances of representing his country in international cricket in jeapordy, he accepted the BCCI’s amnesty offer and joined Mumbai Indians in the IPL. After performing superbly in the IPL as well as domestic cricket, Ambati Rayudu finally realised his dream of playing for India in 2013 as part of the ODI team.

Since then, he has been a regular member of Team India’s ODI and T20I squads and has done a decent job whenever he has been in the XI.

#2 Stuart Binny

Binny has performed exceedingly well since quitting the ICL

Stuart Binny used to play for the Hyderabad Heroes franchise in the ICL and was one of their top performers. However, Binny decided to return to the BCCI’s fold by accepting their amnesty offer in 2009.

He was back in his state side of Karnataka and also joined Rajasthan Royals in the 2010 IPL season. Ever since his return, Binny has done well in both domestic cricket as well as the IPL and got rewarded for this in the form of a maiden call up in the Indian ODI team.

So far, Binny has played 14 ODIs, 6 Tests and 2 T20Is for India and has done decently, particularly with the ball. His figures of 6 for 4 in an ODI against Bangladesh are the best ever for an Indian bowler in the format.

#3 Dheeraj Jadhav

Jadhav has performed superbly in domestic cricket for Assam

Dheeraj Jadhav achieved an impressive distinction of playing 100 first-class matches early this year. Jadhav was also one of the players who had joined the ICL bandwagon only to accept BCCI’s amnesty offer and return to domestic cricket in 2009.

On his return, he joined state side Assam and has been playing in the Indian domestic circuit for them ever since. The southpaw averages in excess of 50 in first-class cricket and has scored as many as 23 centuries thus far. Dheeraj Jadhav is another player who reinvented himself post his ICL stint.

#4 J Syed Mohammad

J Syed Mohammad has been consistent for RCB

Left-arm spinner J Syed Mohammad had wandered into the ICL territory for some time but quickly accepted the amnesty offer made by the BCCI and made his comeback to the domestic circuit. He currently plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and is also a regular member of Assam’s state side in domestic cricket.

J Syed Mohammad’s best figures of 7 for 44 came in the latest edition of the Ranji Trophy and he has been instrumental in Assam’s success of late. His decision to return to the BCCI’s fold has helped him find a new identity.

#5 Rajagopal Sathish

Sathish has been a handy allrounder for Tamil Nadu

Rajagopal Sathish was one of the stars of the ICL where he played for the Chennai Superstars. He also turned out to be one of the cricketers who settled for BCCI’s amnesty offer to ICL players in 2009.

Sathish had initially moved to Assam in the domestic circuit but returned later to his home side, Tamil Nadu. However, dearth of opportunities pushed him into becoming part of the ICL. Since his return to domestic cricket, the allrounder has featured regularly for Tamil Nadu and also plays in the IPL for Kings XI Punjab after a stint with Mumbai Indians.