The ascendency of India as an economic world power

Indian cricket league (ICL) is going launch its first Twenty20 competition with the presence of some business and Bollywood celebrities from 30 November 2007. You already know that India’s rebel cricket league ICL has already signed some cricket stars including Brian Lara, Inzama-ul Haq, Chris Cairns etc. along with some local cricketers.

Business tycoon Anil Ambani, Essar Group's Shashi Ruia along with some Bollywood stars including Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor will be present at the opening day of the tournament. Kareena Kapoor will also perform a stage dance along with Yana Gupta, a top model before the tournament kicks off. The opening ceremony will be presided by the chief guest Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chief Minister of Haryana. Earlier, ICL authority announced that each of the television channels of Zee Networks excerpt two movie channels will telecast the first 30 minutes of each of 20 matches of ICL Twenty20 tournament.

Business Standard reported:

"We have drawn up an impressive celebrity list. Besides ambani, Essar Group's Shashi Ruia will also come here to watch the matches," Essel Group's Executive Vice-President Ashish Kaul said here on Wednesday.
Kaul said organisers had taken certain steps to ensure the games are conducted in line with international standards.
ICL has tied up with Ranbaxy Laboratories for anti-doping testing and has employed an external security consultant to monitor the players' dressing rooms and umpires area during the matches.

Essel group venture, Indian Cricket League is going to be the first private cricket league in India. ICL has not got the recognition of BCCI and it seems to be a strong challenge for ICL to attract the cricket fans with its first tournament. Its future depends on the success of the forthcoming Twent20 competition. Initiating the anti-doping testing and focusing on player’s security, I think, ICL authority has proven their professional mentality. Now, it seems that they are trying their best to make the tournament as much successful as possible.