In recent years, Legends League Cricket (LLC) has become a favored tournament for legendary cricketers globally, including Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, and Chris Gayle, offering a platform for retired players to showcase their skills without judgment. Following a meeting with MS Dhoni in Ranchi, LLC CEO Raman Raheja expressed eagerness to invite the World Cup-winning captain after his IPL retirement. Raheja highlighted cricketers like AB de Villiers and Kieron Pollard, considering LLC participation, emphasizing a network where players recruit others. Young retirees joining LLC have lowered the average player age from 42 to 38. Raheja envisions LLC as the preferred "second innings" for players. Manipal Tigers recently won the LLC 2023 season, and Raheja reflects on each season surpassing the last, with the first season being particularly cherished as it turned the LLC dream into reality.
Key Points
1. Legends League Cricket (LLC) has gained popularity among legendary cricketers worldwide, including Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Chris Gayle, and Jacques Kallis.
2. LLC serves as a second innings for retired cricketers, offering a platform for those who left international cricket or the IPL early.
3. LLC CEO Raman Raheja expressed eagerness to invite MS Dhoni to the league after his retirement from the IPL, following a meeting in Ranchi.
4. Raheja mentioned how active cricketers like AB de Villiers and Kieron Pollard are considering joining the LLC, creating a network among players.
5. Dale Steyn's potential participation was influenced by Jacques Kallis, and discussions are ongoing with De Villiers, Pollard, and Dwayne Bravo.
6. LLC has become a natural second innings, with players like Martin Guptill and Aaron Finch joining, facilitated by the league's growing reputation.
7. Raheja sees LLC as complementary to active cricket, with a decreasing average age from 42 to 38 in the recent season, envisioning it as the preferred second innings for players.
8. In the LLC 2023 season, Manipal Tigers won the championship by defeating Urbanrisers Hyderabad in the finals.
9. Raheja reflected on the growth of LLC, stating that each season surpasses the previous one, with the first season being particularly significant as it turned the dream of the league into a reality.
10. Raheja emphasized the ongoing conversations with potential players, expressing optimism about LLC becoming the first choice for cricketers entering their second innings.
(With Agency Inputs)
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