Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement just a couple of days back, ending his illustrious 13-year international career. Dhawan announced his retirement from all formats of the game on Saturday (August 24) but on Monday (August 26) he declared his participation for a new league – Legends League Cricket (LLC).
Known for his explosive batting and vibrant personality, Dhawan’s transition into the LLC marks a new chapter in his already illustrious career. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prohibits cricketers who haven’t officially retired from the sport to take part in any other league apart from the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Dhawan expressed his feelings about joining the Legends League Cricket (LLC) in a statement on Monday, saying “Taking on this new chapter with Legends League Cricket feels like the ideal progression after my retirement. My body is still conditioned for the demands of the game, and while I’m at ease with my decision, cricket is an inseparable part of who I am, it will never go out of me. I’m eager to regroup with my cricketing friends and continue to entertain my fans as we create new memories together.”
As I close this chapter of my cricketing journey, I carry with me countless memories and gratitude. Thank you for the love and support! Jai Hind! pic.twitter.com/QKxRH55Lgx
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) August 24, 2024
Dhawan’s international cricket career includes several significant achievements, such as being the ‘Player of the Tournament’ in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy and amassing over 6,793 runs in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) at an impressive average of 44.1, 27.92 in T20Is and with a strike rate of 91.35. His contributions to the Indian cricket team and the Indian Premier League (IPL) have solidified his status as a cricketing icon. In his career spanning over a decade, he played 269 matches scoring 10, 867 runs at an average of 40.
Raman Raheja, co-founder of Legends League Cricket, welcomed Dhawan to the league, stating, “We are thrilled to have Shikhar Dhawan join us. His experience and flair will undoubtedly enhance the competition and entertain fans. We look forward to seeing him in action alongside other cricket legends. This will further enhance our position as the 2nd innings for legendary cricketers.”
Th LLC has featured former India cricketer and current Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir apart from the likes of Harbhajan Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Praveen Kumar, Robin Uthappa, Parthiv Patel and Suresh Raina.
