World Championship of Legends returns for second season
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Co-owned by Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn and Harshit Tomar, the WCL has six established cricketing nations in India, Australia, England, South Africa, Pakistan and the West Indies.
Team India Champions, owned by UK-based Sports Merchants Ltd., and led by Salman Ahmed, Jaspal Bahra and Sumant Bahl, have bolstered their squad ahead of the new season.
Shikhar Dhawan has joined a team with plenty of experience in the shape of veterans Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, and Robin Uthappa.
The squad includes Yusuf Pathan, Ambati Rayudu, Stuart Binny, Gurkeerat Mann, Siddharth Kaul, Abhimanyu Mithun, Vinay Kumar, Varun Aaron, Piyush Chawla, and Pawan Negi.
The season starts on July 18, with India's first game on July 20, and will be played across four venues in the UK: Edgbaston in Birmingham, Headingly in Leeds, Northampton, and Leicester County grounds.
The tournament will be broadcast on Star Sports in India and TNT sports in the UK.
The title-winning captain Singh said this week: 'It's been amazing to see how WCL has grown into something that truly connects with cricket fans around the world.
'I'm really excited to be back on the field, playing the game I love, and sharing it with some of the biggest legends. Team India Champions is more than just a squad, it's a legacy.'
He added that the WCL was 'a grand celebration that brings legendary players together, rekindling the magic of the game and to remind everyone why they fell in love with cricket in the first place.
'With the talent and heart this team has, we're definitely aiming to bring the trophy home again.'
Meanwhile co-owner Ahmed said the team stands for 'legacy, leadership, and pride.'
'Having legends like Yuvraj Singh lead the side brings not just experience but also immense inspiration for the entire team,' he added.
'We're not just defending a title, we're raising the bar for what this team stands for.'
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