Kolkata: The Legends League Cricket (LLC) is all set to roll off in Kolkata from September 16 as cricketing legends descended in the city of joy. Starting with a benefit match between India Maharajas and Team World Giants, the much-awaited season of the league will start in India. The earnings of the benefit match will be given to Kapil Dev’s Khushii Foundation, in support of girl child education.
With 90 iconic cricketers in action, the league will take part in 16 matches including the benefit match. Some of the top cricket fraternities whose presence will grace the tournament are Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh, Muttiah Muralitharan, Jacques Kallis, Chris Gayle, and Brett Lee among others.
Former Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, will represent Manipal Tigers. Muralitharan said, “After a long time, we are going to play and the feeling of coming back to a tournament is pulsating for us. As former cricketers, we miss cricket and miss the feeling of playing amidst the hooting and cheering. I hope it becomes an annual event for everyone so that the younger lot not only enjoys watching contemporary cricketers but also gets to watch the former cricketers and legends entertain them,” the once-dreaded off-spinner said.
Former Indian pacer S Sreesanth will play for LNJ Bilwara Kings. The speedster turned 39 earlier this year said, “Age is just a number for me. It feels good to be a part of the Legends League. Giving such opportunities to players like us is a commendable effort made by Legends League Cricket. It is great to be back in the circle. It feels like Kolkata’s Eden Garden was waiting for us to come back. I am really excited to be part of the league and be back in the game; not just that, I am grateful that we have such a wonderful team here,” explained the two times World Cup wining cricketer.
- Manipal Tigers and Bhilwara Kings are the other two franchises in the four-team league.
Former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori also couldn’t contain his excitement. “We have come together after a long time. I think some cricketers will have opportunities to get together and remember us. We will try to put on a good show and feel the heat of our comeback. We will try to perform together and that I feel is more important than anything else,” Vettori said.
Liam Plunkett, who played the 2016 T20 World Cup for England is there for India Capitals. Plunkett said, “All of us are excited to be part of this setup. Some of my idols are going to be part of Legends League Cricket and I am looking forward to it,”.
Indian batter Virendra Sehwag will be in action when his Gujarat Giants lock horns with Gautam Gambhir’s India Capitals in the league opener at Eden Gardens on September 17. The league will feature all women umpires, it’s a first kind of initiative in India.
Vivek Khushalani, Founder & Chairman, Legends League Cricket, said, This is just the start. Next year, we will add two more franchises. So in 2023, we will have six franchises playing in the tournament. But it will never go beyond six,”
Raman Raheja, Co-founder and CEO of the league, said that he feels proud that Legends League Cricket could bring together 90 cricketing greats in the city of Kolkata at one single point in time. “It is for the first time that about 90 cricketing legends have come to Kolkata. In the history of cricket, you wouldn’t have seen so many legends coming to one single city. Kolkata may have hosted the World Cup, IPL and all other big-ticket matches but bringing 90 legends together in one single city at one point in time is a first. Kolkata is the home of Indian cricket. So it was a privilege for us to start the league in India here,” Raheja said.
The CEO also added that the first edition of Legends League Cricket was the most-watched event after IPL. “The first edition of the league held in Oman was the most watched league after IPL in terms of viewership and reach. So we expect the number to grow in our bid to promote cricket,” said Raheja.
Where to watch
With Disney Star being the official broadcasters, the legends can be seen in action live on Star Sports Network as well as streamed on Disney+Hotstar in four languages—English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
