Looking for a hit sequel

A good season two, like a good sequel, is a rarity for a television show, for a cricketer and even for a tournament. That is the ICL's greatest challenge as they embark upon a new year of games. The first year was popular: 55 million viewers tuned in to the ICL, with six million alone watching the final match between Lahore Badshahs and Hyderabad Heroes. The big question is can they do it post-IPL? The start has been promising.

Recognition: This has been the main hurdle, laid carefully by the Indian board in conjunction with its counterparts. But there is a chance of that changing this year. Pakistan's law minister Farooq Naek lent a sympathetic ear to Inzamam-ul-Haq, the Lahore captain, and he promised, "Justice will be done". The ICL also had a "fruitful" meeting with the ICC earlier this week, the Sri Lankan government have responded positively and the Federation of International Cricketers' Association (FICA) too have offered support.

Marketing: "ICL is better in cricket but IPL was better in marketing," was a backhanded compliment to its rival by the ICL chairman Kapil Dev but, perhaps, it signifies the road it might take this year. An official media release states, "Excluding South America, more than 100 million people from four continents will enjoy this ICL 20s tournament live". The ICL recently acquired a new stadium in Ahmedabad and spent Rs100 million (US$2.1 million) to refurbish it. They have increased its promotional spend to Rs500 million ($10.5 million).

You can expect more oomph from the ICL this year for an extravagant opening ceremony, involving the choreographer Shiamak Davar's troupe, 100 live drummers and 20 international performers, is planned for October 10. More glamour is on the cards: A film actress will host an "entertainment-cricket" show, with "some high-profile celebrities from page 3, Bollywood, fashion designers, TV artists and host of other stars who will be quizzed and tested on all their expertise and cricket".

Cricket: It started as a city-based team but after the IPL it found its niche in carving 'national' teams. The Lahore Badshahs were a hit in Pakistan: "People see it as a extension of their national side," Mushtaq Ahmed, the former Pakistan legspinner, said. "And all the great stars like Inzamam, Saqlain [Mushtaq] are featuring in it." It's a sentiment shared by Habibul Bashar, the captain of the new team, Dhaka Warriors. "I don't know about the Bangladesh board but the people want us to do well." The ICL has also attracted quite a few cricketers from New Zealand.

What about the quality of cricket? They had quite a few closely fought games last season and Bharat Reddy, executive board member of the ICL, believes "cricket will be the clincher to draw in crowds". The proof will play out during the next 41 days.

Domestic stars: The ICL's chief claim is that it has been more effective in helping local players to showcase their talent than the IPL. Before the season they organise skill-building camps and a domestic tournament, which acts as trials, for the local players, a set-up the IPL hasn't tried. They have approximately 88 domestic players but unless there is recognition, these stars are in a cul-de-sac of their own choosing. The case of talented stars like Ambati Rayudu and Abhishek Jhunjunwala are case in point.

New initiatives: Specialised coaching in terms of specific functional areas like throwing and sprinting took place earlier this year. They also had a wicketkeeping boot camp under the supervision of Steve Rixon, the former Australian wicketkeeper and the current Hyderabad Heroes coach. The ICL also took a lead in educating players on anti-doping laws. A nine-run hit, which award nine runs for a six over 90 yards, was planned for this tournament but has been shelved for the moment.

Players to watch out for: Apart from the international stars like Shane Bond and Inzamam and Indian talent like Hemang Badani and Dinesh Mongia, it's the domestic players who are expected to entertain the crowds. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala, G Vignesh, top scorer in the domestic tournament, Ali Murtaza, R Sathish, Raviraj Patil, the only Mumbai Champs player to make it to the Indian ICL side, Stuart Binny, Ibrahim Khaleel, were the top performers last season.

Teams to watch out for: The consistent Chennai Superstars - "No other side has been able to do as much as we have done in the last four tournaments," said coach Michael Bevan. "Two titles, a second place and a third place are no mean achievements," . Chennai won the inaugural Twenty20 championship and the ICL 50s championship. The Hyderabad Heroes are the defending champions and they grew from strength to strength under the coaching of Steve Rixon. But runners-up Lahore promise to offer another stiff challenge. "We are here to win," Inzamam said. "We are better prepared this time and are working very hard."

Prize Money: Rs13.72 crore ($2.8 million) is the total booty. The winners of the ICL 20s Indian Championship get Rs2 crore ($419,400) while the runners-up net Rs1 crore ($209,700). The Man of the Match will bag Rs2 lakhs ($4000) and the Man of the Series gets twenty times that. Last year, the total prize money was 12.33 crores ($2.5million).