Bengal not worried by exodus

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has said it is not perturbed by the exodus of its players to the Indian Cricket League (ICL), as it provides opportunities to several young players on the fringes of selection.

Deep Dasgupta, Abhishek Jhunjhunwala, Subhomoy Das, Subhojit Paul and Shibsagar Singh were among the players who signed up, leaving the side depleted. It is widely believed that the BCCI will slap bans on players who have signed up with the ICL.

The CAB has also taken a tough stance on the ICL, denying former selector Pranab Roy the use of its facilities. Roy is one of the executives of the league.

"What has happened is good for Bengal cricket," said Amitava Banerjee, one of the joint secretaries of the CAB. "Now a lot more youngsters will get the much needed opening to big cricket in the days to come. We have enough talent to replace them from the Bengal U-22 side."

Bengal won the U-22 title last season and finished runners-up the previous year. Banerjee said the CAB did not try to stop the players from joining the ICL and that none of the players consulted the association before deciding to join.