MUMBAI, June 25: India's cricket board has warned its players against joining unapproved competitions in a bid to counter a new league being planned in September. The Indian Cricket League (ICL) is being set up by the Essel Group, which controls the country's biggest listed media firm Zee Telefilms, despite the board refusing permission this month.

“No member association, present or former players deriving monetary or other benefits from the board, including the welfare scheme, shall in any manner associate themselves with the organisation and conduct of such unapproved tournaments/matches,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a letter to its provincial teams.

“Any infringement of the above...the members/players will stand to lose all benefits and privileges conferred upon them by the board,” it said, referring to incentives such as pensions given to former players by the BCCI.

Former India captain Kapil Dev and ex-England skipper Tony Greig have joined the board of the ICL.

Dean Jones, the former Australia batsman, and ex-India wicket-keeper Kiran More are also on the ICL's board while former India batsman Sandeep Patil has joined the league as a coach.—Reuters