New Delhi, April 2: Virtually throwing a challenge to the BCCI, former captain Kapil Dev said the players who are performing well cannot be denied an opportunity to represent India in future.

''Time will come and you will see them (ICL players) playing for India,'' Kapil told UNI.''Some of the youngsters have performed very well in this tournament and how can you deny some one an opportunity if he has the talent,'' he said. Kapil Dev, who is also the executive board chairman of the Indian Cricket League (ICL), seemed pretty impressed with the way some of the Indian youngsters have performed in the Twenty20 tournament.

The great all-rounder of yesteryears was pleased with the way the ICL's current season has turned out and said the board members will look to carry forward their effort.

''I believe in going step by step. I am very happy and proud with the way this season has turned out.

''We look forward to carry on from here and the ICL's world series is one more step towards this,'' he added.

The rebel ICL yesterday announced its world series which will feature three teams - ICL India, ICL Pakistan and ICL World - and will commence from April 9.

He claimed that Lahore Badshahs' exceptional run in the tournament is also one of the reasons behind the world series.

''We want to see that how good these Indian boys are against some of the more experienced players of the world.

''Lahore Badshahs have played as a unit and probably that is also a reason that made us to think about the ICL's world series,'' he disclosed.

UNI