The forgotten league that inspired IPL: The real story of Indian Cricket League (ICL)

Edited By : Srijal Upadhyay | Apr 07, 2026, 10:55 PM IST

Published On Apr 07, 2026, 10:55 PM IST

Last UpdatedApr 07, 2026, 10:55 PM IST

Long before the IPL became a global phenomenon, the Indian Cricket League (ICL) introduced franchise T20 cricket in India. Here’s the untold story of the rebel league that was crushed by the BCCI but changed cricket forever.

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Indian Cricket League: The first private T20 league

The Indian Cricket League (ICL) was launched in 2007 and ran till 2009. It was India’s first attempt at a private, franchise-based T20 league. Unlike the Ranji Trophy or other traditional tournaments, the ICL brought city-based teams, international stars, and a mix of T20 and 50-over formats.

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Who was behind the ICL?

The ICL was started by Zee Entertainment Enterprises, led by Dr Subhash Chandra. It is believed that Zee decided to create the league after being denied TV broadcasting rights for international cricket by the BCCI.

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Strong support from cricket legends

The ICL had solid backing from former Indian captain Kapil Dev, who served as its brand ambassador. The executive board also included well-known names like Tony Greig, Dean Jones, and Kiran More.

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How the ICL worked

The league featured Indian city-based teams along with ‘ICL World’ sides, including teams from Pakistan and Bangladesh such as Lahore Badshahs and Dhaka Warriors. It mixed domestic and international players.

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Why the ICL failed

The first T20 season began in November 2007, mostly played in Panchkula near Chandigarh. Chennai Superstars won the inaugural 2007-08 T20 Indian Championship. There was also a 50-over tournament and a Grand Championship that season. In the 2008-09 season, Lahore Badshahs won the T20 title.

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The birth of IPL

Despite a promising start, the ICL could only survive for two seasons. The main reason for its closure was strong opposition from the BCCI. The BCCI saw the ICL as an unsanctioned “rebel” league and banned all players who participated in it from domestic and international cricket. It also pressured other cricket boards through the ICC to do the same.