We will win inaugural IPL: Bindra

Mohali, Feb 17 (UNI) Describing the Punjab Cricket Association as the 'epicentre' of Indian cricket, former Board of Control for Cricket in India president Inderjit Singh Bindra said here today that the multi-billion dollards Indian Cricket League Board had laid down norms for selection of players for the teams.

Elaborating it, he said that minimum four players should be from the 'catchment' area.

Team Mohali will be players from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and international players. He clarified that all 16 players could also be from the catchment area.

The composition of the team would be four under-21 players, four Ranji Trophy players, four internationals and four open.

Regarding the price tag, Bindra said minimum bidding amout for those who have not played Ranji is US Dollar 20,000 and for Ranji players it will be US Dollar 50,000. "The hammer will fall on February 20 in Bombay.

On that day, the players will be auctioned for different teams," said Bindra, president of the Punjab Cricket Association.

"The Team Punjab will be build around Yurraj Singh, who is an icon.

Australian Tom Moody has been appointed coach of Team Mohali." "We will go for the triumph in the inaugural edition. I am confident Team Mohali will emerge winners and will be among the two teams which will qualify for 20-20 International Tournament," said a confident Bindra.

The date and venue of the 20-20 international meet have yet to be decided.

Asked whether the Board of Control for Cricket in India will allow players from the rival Indian Cricket League, a venture of Zee Group, Bindra said "the BCCI has decided that those players who play in any unrecognised cricket tournament (he did not name ICL) will not be eligible for IPL or any BCCI-recognised tournaments." "Yes, I had made an effort that those who have joined the rival group, should be given a chance to come back, if they want. My amnesty plan did not get approval. Myself and BCCI chief Sharad Pawar were backing the amnesty move. However, all other members rejected it," disclosed Bindra.

Meanwhile, Bollywood star Preity Zinta, who successfully made bid of Rs 310 crore for Team Mohali, Bombay Dying Joint Managing Director Ness Wadia, Dabur Pharma chairman Mohit Burman and Apeejay Surrendra Group chairman Karan Paul also addressed the media at the PCA Stadium.

The group was here to inspect the facilities at the PCA Stadium here and discuss their plan with the PCA officials.

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