million Twenty20 Champions League was thrown into turmoil on Sunday after India rejected the participation of English counties that field ‘rebel' players. Indian cricket chiefs said they will host the League in September-October featuring the top two Twenty20 club teams from Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, England and India. But English counties can take part only provided they do not include those players who had signed up with the rebel Indian Cricket League, a cricket India board statement said. “Clubs from England who qualify can play provided the teams do not include players who are with ICL,” said the statement signed by BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah. Indian cricket official Lalit Modi said India has explained its position to England's cricket officials. “Our stand is clear, that India will not host or participate in any event featuring players from the ICL,” said Modi. “England Cricket Board's officials told us that laws in Britain do not permit them to restrict participation of players,” said Modi. “That be the case, England's teams will not be able to play in the Champions League staged in India. It'll be very sad, but we have our own rule.” At least 25 ICL players play in English domestic cricket and only three of the 18 counties do not have any ‘rebel' players. The BCCI does not recognize the ICL, which was started last year by Zee Telefilms, India's leading listed media house, under the chairmanship of former World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev. The Indian board had imposed life bans on those connected to the ICL, including former Test captains Dev and Ajit Wadekar. It also directed its affiliated units not to permit their stadiums to be used by the breakaway league. Some cricketers from Pakistan, South Africa and Australia played in the ICL, but Modi said the qualified teams of those nations do not feature any such players. Modi, who organized a BCCI-backed domestic Twenty20 league over the last two months, said Australia was drawing up the details of the Champions League. A final decision on the schedule, venues and teams is expected to be announced on the sidelines of the International Cricket Council's annual meetings in Dubai from June 29-July 4. The Indian board Sunday accepted the proposal to host the Twenty20 Champions League during the eight-day window between the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan and Australia's Test tour of India. The Champions League, with its $5 million first prize, will be contested by two qualifying teams from the respective nations. The Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings will represent India, the Titans and Kwazulu Natal Dolphins from South Africa and Western Australia and Victoria state teams from Australia.
