BCCI "advises" its players to avoid counties with ICL players

BCCI has "advised" its contracted players to not play in counties that have ICL players. The key word to note here is "advise".

"We don't want our players in teams that have other players playing in unauthorised tournaments," Shah said.

I am not sure if there is a BCCI rule that states that all contracted players must get the approval of BCCI before signing up with any English counties or other counties. I guess there must be a rule. Otherwise, I don't see VVS Laxman or Piyush Chawla waiting for the BCCI permission to sign up with the English counties.

It will be interesting to watch what happens if a non-contracted BCCI player (like VY Mahesh) signs up with a English county that has ICL players. BCCI cannot stop that player. They may through bullying but legally I don't think they can stop that player.

BCCI, "The Bully" is using all its powers to stop ICL. BCCI would be smart accept ICL and acquire some/all ICL franchises and make the next year IPL tournament even bigger. They can alternatively make ICL a minor league version of IPL that would help in identifying more bench players for India.

ICC must make the IPL tournament part of the calendar. I am not sure if there is a market for two mega tournaments (IPL and the one ECB is planning to launch) every year.

Hmm.... If at all BCCI has an iota of interest in improving the game of cricket ...