Manohar said the decision was taken after some ICL players "admitted they made a mistake in joining the rebel league"
India's cricket chiefs on Wednesday said players signed up with an unauthorised Twenty20 league would be allowed to play in official matches if they severed links with the rebel body.
Local players with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) can play domestic first-class matches if they end their rebel contracts by May 31, but must wait for a year to be eligible for international cricket, officials said.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Shashank Manohar said the decision was taken after some ICL players "admitted they made a mistake in joining the rebel league."
"We have decided to grant amnesty to ICL players and welcome them to return to the BCCI fold," Manohar told reporters after a meeting of the BCCI's working committee here.
"The players will not be given any international assignment for one year after they quit the ICL as a punishment. But they can play in domestic competitions with immediate effect.
"They have been given amnesty time till May 31."
There are at least 85 Indian players aligned with the ICL, which is bankrolled by India's largest listed media company, Zee Telefilms.
The ICL, headed by the country's lone World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev, also signed on foreign stars such as the retired Brian Lara and Inzamam-ul Haq, and current players like New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond.
The ICL organised two tournaments in 2008, but their next edition in March this year was cut short due to security concerns following the Mumbai attacks.
There was no immediate reaction from ICL officials, who were planning to hold a tournament in October.
ICL players were banned from official cricket around the world at the behest of the powerful Indian board which organises its own Twenty20 competition, the Indian Premier League.
The second edition of the IPL, featuring the world's top stars and Indian players, is currently being played in South Africa.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) earlier this month rejected an application by the ICL for "authorised unofficial" status, saying it did not meet its criteria.
"Authorised unofficial" status would have allowed ICL players to play Test, one-day or Twenty20 cricket for their respective countries.
With India clearing the decks for the return of its ICL players, other nations may follow suit and allow their players to take part in official cricket.
There are an estimated 60 foreign players associated with the ICL.
Local players with the Indian Cricket League (ICL) can play domestic first-class matches if they end their rebel contracts by May 31, but must wait for a year to be eligible for international cricket, officials said.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Shashank Manohar said the decision was taken after some ICL players "admitted they made a mistake in joining the rebel league."
"We have decided to grant amnesty to ICL players and welcome them to return to the BCCI fold," Manohar told reporters after a meeting of the BCCI's working committee here.
"The players will not be given any international assignment for one year after they quit the ICL as a punishment. But they can play in domestic competitions with immediate effect.
"They have been given amnesty time till May 31."
There are at least 85 Indian players aligned with the ICL, which is bankrolled by India's largest listed media company, Zee Telefilms.
The ICL, headed by the country's lone World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev, also signed on foreign stars such as the retired Brian Lara and Inzamam-ul Haq, and current players like New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond.
The ICL organised two tournaments in 2008, but their next edition in March this year was cut short due to security concerns following the Mumbai attacks.
There was no immediate reaction from ICL officials, who were planning to hold a tournament in October.
ICL players were banned from official cricket around the world at the behest of the powerful Indian board which organises its own Twenty20 competition, the Indian Premier League.
The second edition of the IPL, featuring the world's top stars and Indian players, is currently being played in South Africa.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) earlier this month rejected an application by the ICL for "authorised unofficial" status, saying it did not meet its criteria.
"Authorised unofficial" status would have allowed ICL players to play Test, one-day or Twenty20 cricket for their respective countries.
With India clearing the decks for the return of its ICL players, other nations may follow suit and allow their players to take part in official cricket.
There are an estimated 60 foreign players associated with the ICL.
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