In a huge moment for cricket fans in Kashmir, international cricketers will perform in the Valley after nearly four decades. The Legends League Cricket (LLC T20) tournament will begin on September 20, 2024, at Barkatullah Khan Stadium in Jodhpur, with the grand finale scheduled for October 16 at the historic Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, marking a remarkable milestone for the game in the Kashmir Valley.
Raman Raheja, co-founder of LLC, expressed enthusiasm about the league’s return and the opportunity to play in Kashmir this season. “The grand finale in Kashmir is a remarkable event for the people of the Valley, who will have the chance to watch live cricket after nearly 40 years. The match will also allow cricketers to experience the stunning beauty of Kashmir and its famous hospitality,” Raheja added.
Ahead of the tournament, a player auction was held on August 29, 2024, in New Delhi. Franchises placed bids to acquire top talent from both Indian and international cricket, with over 200 players available for selection.
Some of the top former international cricket stars who will come to Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar include Indian batter Suresh Raina, Australian opener Aaron Finch, New Zealand’s Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor, Indian opener Gautam Gambhir, West Indies opener Chris Gayle, and South African batter Hashim Amla.
This year, the buzz around the prestigious tournament has soared with the debut of former cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Dinesh Karthik.
A senior official from the J&K Sports Council told Moneycontrol that the government is working to host several LLC matches in Kashmir. “After the success of last year’s matches at Jammu’s 20,000-seater Maulana Azad Stadium, which featured former international cricketers, the J&K government has decided to hold this year's final league match in Kashmir.”
The previous season of the league had 180 million viewers across India.
International cricket in J&K
Before the onset of militancy in 1989, Kashmir had hosted only two international cricket matches, both of which India lost. The first international cricket match was played in Srinagar, at the Sheri Kashmir Cricket Stadium, on October 12, 1983, between Clive Lloyd’s West Indies and Kapil Dev’s India. West Indies won the match, but it was significantly affected by disturbances from the crowd, who attempted to dig up the pitch in protest against the political situation in the region.
The last international cricket match in Kashmir was also played at the Sheri Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar between Australia and India on September 9, 1986, three years after India’s first 50-over World Cup victory in 1983.
This time, however, the matches will be held at Bakshi Stadium in Wazir Bagh, Srinagar. With a seating capacity of 30,000, Bakshi Stadium is primarily used for football but will host the cricket matches for the upcoming tournament.
In 2012, approximately 30,000 people gathered at Bakshi Stadium to watch a football match, marking the first time in 25 years that such a large crowd attended an event at the venue.
The return of cricket to the Kashmir Valley after such a long absence has sparked great enthusiasm among fans. Abid Ahmad, a local cricket enthusiast, told Moneycontrol that the stadium in Kashmir will likely be packed, given the immense love and enthusiasm for cricket in the Valley. “It will be challenging to get tickets to watch live cricket in Kashmir, as this will be the first time young people here will have the opportunity to see international cricketers play in their city,” Ahmad said with a smile.
This year, the LLC tournament will feature 25 matches among six teams, culminating in the final on October 16. The franchise-based tournament will be held across four cities—Jodhpur, Surat, Jammu, and finally picturesque Srinagar.
Abid Nabi, one of Kashmir's veteran fast bowlers selected by the Urbanrisers Hyderabad franchise for the Legends League Cricket (LLC), expressed his excitement about playing alongside international cricket legends in his home city.
“Hosting matches in Kashmir will further boost cricket in the region. Seeing international stars perform here will inspire local youth and spark greater interest in the game. Moreover, local cricket enthusiasts, who previously had to travel to cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, and Dharamshala, will now have the chance to watch their favourite players live,” said the 38-year-old Nabi, who has made history as the first and only player from Kashmir to be picked for the prestigious tournament.
With the final leg of the LLC set to take place in Srinagar, Nabi’s inclusion, holding the record for the fastest 100 wickets in first-class cricket, brings immense pride to Kashmir and offers fans a special reason to celebrate.
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