Rohan Gavaskar joins ICL, as Bengal cricket look deserted

Kolkata, Sep 12 (UNI) In another big dent to Bengal cricket, Rohan Gavaskar has signed up with the Indian Cricket League (ICL).

The BCCI has entrusted Sunil Gavaskar, Rohan's father, to format its own league that would have challenged the rebel league. Even before the plans took shape, ICL snapped up Rohan, the seventh Bengal cricketer to join the league.

Bengal cricket looked to be going through its worst phase with seven main cricketers out to join ICL. The side is doing disastrously in Moin-ud-Daula and are on the verge of being knocked out of the tournament by facing an uphill task against Saurashtra.

Talking to UNI, Rohan said, ''I signed the papers recently. The main reason is to get an opportunity to compete with international players again.

''Obviously I spoke to dad. He made me aware of the consequences, both the pluses and minuses and told me the decision was mine,'' he said when asked if he had talked to Gavaskar senior before taking the decision.

''The selectors are focused on the younger players and no matter how well you perform in the domestic circuit, your chances are slim,'' he said.

''I'm sad for Bengal. I've played there for the last 12 years.

That was one of the reasons why it took me so long to decide. It was by no means an easy decision,'' Rohan said.

Rohan, who has captained Bengal, averages 18 from 11 ODIs with a highest score of 54. In 114 first-class matches, the left-hander has 6,829 runs and with his spin bowling scalped 37 wickets at 50 each.

CAB Joint Secretary Samar Pal said, ''I have heard about it. We will take up the matter.'' UNI