By IANS
Mumbai : The Indian cricket board Tuesday removed former captain Kapil Dev as the National Cricket Academy (NCA) head for joining the rebel Indian Cricket League – and announced a hefty hike for domestic players in a bid to stem the exodus to the rival body.
A special general body meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) here took the decision to sack Kapil, who presently heads the Zee TV-promoted ICL executive board.
The BCCI has also barred players who align with the ICL from playing in any domestic or international fixtures.
Addressing a news conference here BCCI Treasurer N. Srinivasan said: “The exodus of domestic players was not a major problem for the board. Kapil Dev has been replaced. (NCA vice chairman) Ajay Shirke has been appointed the acting chairman. A decision on a new chairman would be taken at the BCCI’s annual general meeting on September 28.”
The BCCI decision comes a day after the ICL announced a list of 51 players, including star attractions like West Indian batsman Brian Lara, former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, and three of his team mates – Mohammed Yusuf, Imran Farhat and Abdul Razzaq.
South African cricketers Lance Klusener and Nicky Boje were among the seven overseas recruits for the multi-million dollar league.
“In accordance with what was decided in today’s meeting, Kapil Dev ceases to be the NCA chairman with immediate effect. Other players who have joined the ICL will be banned from playing for India and their respective states,” Srinivasan said.
In what is seen as a bid by the BCCI to counter the threats thrown up by Zee TV chief Subash Chandra, the board also announced a slew of monetary benefits for domestic cricketers.
The board enhanced the match rates for Ranji Trophy players to Rs.35,000 per day from Rs.16,000 per day. The total prize money for domestic tournaments has also been raised to Rs.420 million.
“Ranji Trophy players who currently get a match fee of Rs 16,000 per day, will be paid Rs 19,000 more from the current season,” Srinivasan said.
Kapil’s term as NCA chairman was to have ended in September and the BCCI will now have to start the process for looking for a replacement for its Bangalore-based academy.