The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : A positive sign, says Badani

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A positive sign, says Badani

CHENNAI: Hemang Badani, one of the ICL’s leading Indian cricketers, said the BCCI’s move to reintegrate the rebel league’s cricketers was a ‘positive sign’, but added that the term ‘amnesty’ sounded a ‘bit harsh’.

“It’s a positive sign from the BCCI to offer an opportunity for us to return to mainstream cricket, and I’m very happy about that, but the word amnesty seems a bit harsh,” said Badani.

“It’s usually used for people who have made a mistake or committed a crime, and I don’t think we did anything wrong. We just went to play cricket.

“But having said that, this is a wonderful opportunity for the young cricketers to come back and play for their States, and if they are good enough, for the country. The cooling period of one year is something they (the board) can perhaps think about again.”

Badani, who plays for the Chennai Superstars, said he had no regrets about joining the ICL. “It was new and exciting, and we played some really good cricket irrespective of what others said. But I realised the reality that the cricket there was very little.

“Having been used to playing for 10 months of the year, cricket for just three months seemed little. And whatever the reason, whether it was recession, I don’t know, we weren’t paid our salaries for three-four months.

“The lack of cricket and the lack of funds was making us a bit insecure, but it was a good experience overall,” he added.Badani said he would weigh his options before deciding on his future in cricket. — Special Correspondent

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