The new Twenty20 competition – run outside the jurisdiction of the nation’s governing body the BCCI – has created uproar with cricket chiefs threatening to ban players from their national sides if they sign up.
But now an Indian court has ruled players should not suffer punishments for opting for the rebel league.
It comes after ICL chiefs petitioned the court to prevent the BCCI from interfering in its activities or acting against players signing up for it.
The ICL, marketed by the Essel group – owner of Indian media giant Zee Telefilms – is a private league with big prize money (a $1m prize awaits the winner) which will run as a rival to the established tournaments and has been met with disdain by the establishment since it was unveiled in April.
With West Indies legend Brian Lara already confirmed, ex-Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq and South African star Lance Klusener also recently signed up.
They bring the number of players now signed to 50.
The governing bodies of the sport in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka have all threatened to ban players committing to the breakaway league.
