The World Championship of Legends (WCL) kicked off on July 3 at Edgbaston with an exciting start. The India Champions, led by Yuvraj Singh, secured a victory over England Champions in the opening match. Later, Pakistan Champions triumphed over Australia Champions by five wickets.
As expected, the WCL predominantly features retired cricketers, many of whom are well into their 40s. However, amidst the veterans, the India Champions squad boasts four players who are still under the age of 35. Here’s a look at these young guns making their mark in the tournament:
#1 Pawan Negi
Pawan Negi is a former Indian all-rounder who debuted in T20I during the Asia Cup 2016. Despite an impressive performance of 1/16 in three overs against the UAE, Negi never got another chance to represent India. He continued his IPL career with teams like Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders but wasn’t picked after 2019. At 31, Negi has retired from all domestic cricket formats and is now showcasing his skills for India Champions in the WCL.
#2 Saurabh Tiwary
Saurabh Tiwary gained fame in IPL 2010 with his power-packed sixes and long hair, drawing comparisons to MS Dhoni. He played three ODIs for India, scoring 49 runs at a strike rate of 87.5 without getting dismissed. Despite his promising start, Tiwary didn’t get more opportunities and made his last international appearance in 2010. After playing his final IPL match for Mumbai Indians in 2021, the 34-year-old retired from domestic cricket and is now part of the India Champions squad.
#3 Rahul Shukla
Rahul Shukla never played for India at the international level but made a name for himself in domestic cricket with Jharkhand and in the IPL with Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, and Delhi Daredevils. Known for his express pace, Shukla retired from domestic cricket and at 33, is now playing for India Champions in the inaugural World Championship of Legends.
#4 Gurkeerat Singh Mann
Just two years ago, Gurkeerat Singh Mann was part of the Gujarat Titans team that won the IPL trophy. He played three ODIs for India in early 2016, scoring 13 runs and bowling 10 wicketless overs. Despite his efforts for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, Singh didn’t get another chance to play for India. The 34-year-old retired from domestic cricket this year and is now bringing his experience to the India Champions team in the WCL 2024.
The inclusion of these younger players under 35 adds an exciting dynamic to the India Champions squad, blending youthful energy with the seasoned expertise of the legends. Keep an eye on these players as they aim to leave a significant impact on the tournament.
