Chris Gayle, Ian Bell among 124 Cricket Legends to play the league
Bakshi Stadium chosen for LLC finals
Irfan Yattoo
Srinagar, Sep 12: After four decades, Kashmir is set to host over 100 international cricket legends in Srinagar during the final leg of the Legends League Cricket (LLC) from 9th October, officials on Thursday said.
Addressing the presser in Srinagar, Raman Raheja, co-founder of LLC, said that 7 exciting matches, including the grand finale, are scheduled to take place from October 9 to October 16, 2024, at Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium.
Flanked by former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif, who is presently mentor for the Gujarat Greats, and Cricketer Naman Ojha.
“Legends League Cricket is back for another season and we are very excited to also be playing in Kashmir this season. This is a huge opportunity for the people of Kashmir to come to the stadium and watch live cricketing action for the first time in almost 40 years. It also presents a unique opportunity for the cricketers to experience the beauty of Kashmir and enjoy the hospitality and love of the wonderful people of Srinagar.” Said Mr. Raman Raheja, Co-Founder, Legends League Cricket.
“Cricket enthusiasts throughout the Valley are eagerly anticipating the arrival of 124 cricketing legends, set to land in Kashmir on October 9 for the much-anticipated final leg of the Legends League Cricket (LLC),” he said.
About selection of Bakshi stadium instead of SK Stadium, Raheja said that Bakshi Stadium was selected due to its ample seating capacity, ensuring it can accommodate the large crowds expected.
He said renowned players such as Mohammad Kaif, Shikhar Dhawan, Dinesh Karthik, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Chris Gayle, Ross Taylor, and Ian Bell will grace Valley with their presence, marking their first-ever appearance in the Himalayan region.
“While the previous leg in Jammu saw a great response, Srinagar’s venue was chosen to cater to the anticipated surge in spectators,” Raheja added.
The Co-founder of LLC said Bakshi stadium’s football ground will be repurposed for cricket, with pitch preparations already underway.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for young aspiring cricketers to witness their idols giving their all on the field, which will undoubtedly inspire them,” Raheja said.
On the occasion, former Indian Team Cricketer, Mohammad Kaif said that for the first time in 40 years, young cricket fans in the Valley will have the chance to experience live cricket at the stadium.
He said all cricketers are extremely excited to be coming to Kashmir this season. It will be extremely special to play at this wonderful stadium and in front of our wonderful fans that are yet to watch us play live.
“Hosting international matches in Srinagar offers a rare opportunity for both players and spectators, allowing cricketers to experience the beauty of Kashmir while energizing local cricket enthusiasts,” he said.
Kaif said that this event will inspire the next generation, providing a platform for young talent to dream big and pursue cricket as a potential career path.
The series will begin on September 20 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, with seven matches, including the grand finale, scheduled to be played in Srinagar.
According to organisers tickets for fans will go live soon on Insider.in and Paytm starting from Rs.499 only. The league, known for its thrilling matches and high viewership, attracted a massive audience of 180 million across India during the previous season’s 19 matches.
The final fixtures for Srinagar are set, starting on October 9, 2024, with Hyderabad Team facing Southern Superstars, followed by India Capitals vs. Manipal Tigers on October 10. On October 11, Konark Surya Odisha will take on Gujarat Team. The Qualifier between Position 1 and Position 2 will be held on October 12, while the Eliminator featuring Position 3 vs. Position 4 is scheduled for October 13.
The Semi-Final, where the loser of the Qualifier meets the winner of the Eliminator, will take place on October 14. After a rest day on October 15, the highly anticipated Grand Final will be played on October 16, featuring the winners of the Qualifier and Semi-Final.
Kashmir has hosted only two One Day Internationals (ODIs) played in Srinagar. The first, on October 13, 1983, saw India face West Indies, with the latter winning by 28 runs. In the second match in 1986, India was defeated by Australia.
