'IPL needs to have more local talent'

Former India captain Mohinder Amarnath feels that the T20 league needs to penetrate more states and be more inclusive of local players to be of any help to Indian cricket.

The Indian Premier League spelt mega bucks and mega success in its inaugural season but former India captain Mohinder Amarnath feels that the twenty20 league needs to penetrate more states and be more inclusive of local players to be of any help to Indian cricket.

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Amarnath said the league, which saw international stars playing alongside top Indian cricketers in the opening season, should be taken to more cities and include a greater number of local players to help create stars in the domestic circuit.

"This (IPL) should be planned according to the changing trends. I would be very happy if it is played at the state level with the local players getting to play with overseas players on a regular basis," Amarnath told PTI in an interview.

The inaugral season of IPL had eight teams. Amarnath said by expanding itself, the league could well be used as a selection criteria for international twenty20 events.

"In the future you are talking about world cup cricket and more international matches, which means you have to see everybody. It's like normal selection and everyone playing their matches and then you pick up the best side," he said.

"That's the way I would like to see cricket happening in the future. Otherwise IPL is fine and good for entertainment," he added.