LLC 2024: Top 6 Players to watch out for

The Legends League Cricket (LLC) 2024n kicks off on September 20, bringing together cricket's finest retired stars for a T20 tournament. This year's event features six star-studded teams playing across 25 matches in four Indian cities - Jodhpur, Surat, Jammu, and Srinagar.

The tournament will see the return of defending champions Manipal Tigers, alongside India Capitals, Gujarat Greats, Toyam Hyderabad, Southern Superstars, and the rebranded Konark Surya Odisha (formerly Bhilwara Kings). Each team will play seven league matches, with the top four advancing to the playoffs. The playoff stage will feature a Qualifier, Eliminator, and Semifinal, leading up to the grand finale on October 16 in Srinagar.

This season witnesses Indian Legends, Shikhar Dhawan, Dinesh Karthik, Ambati Rayudu, Dhawal Kulkarni, and Kedar Jadhav making their debut at the Legends League Cricket. Along with these names, other prominent names to feature in this year's tournament are Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Suresh Raina, Dhawal Kulkarni, amongst others.

Here are the top six players to watch out for in LLC 2024 series:

6. Isuru Udana:

The former Sri Lankan left-arm pacer Isuru Udana is set to feature in the league for the second time. The 36-year-old emerged as the most expensive player in the LLC auction 2024, with Urbanrisers Hyderabad securing his services for an impressive INR 61.97 lakh. The hefty price shows the high expectations around Udana's performance in the upcoming season. In the previous edition, representing India Capitals, Udana was brilliant with the ball, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker with nine scalps in six matches at an impressive average of 21.22. 

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5. Ian Bell

The former England batter Ian Bell is all set to lead the India Capitals in the upcoming LLC. Following a season where the team reached the qualifiers under Gautam Gambhir's guidance, Bell will hope to get his hands on the coveted title. The right-handed genius brings a wealth of experience to the role, having recently played in the World Championship of Legends 2024. In that competition, Bell smashed 230 runs across five innings, at an average of 76.66, and finished as the tournament's second-highest run-scorer. The 42-year-old will be hoping to do the same in this tournament. 

4. Shikhar Dhawan

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan is set to be a star attraction in the upcoming LLC. Having only recently announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket, Dhawan has quickly transitioned to the LLC, where he will captain the Gujarat Greats. His experience leading India and in the IPL makes him a valuable asset to the team. The southpaw's aggressive batting style and ability to dominate bowlers, especially in the powerplay overs, will be crucial for his side. Fans will be hoping to witness his trademark "thigh-five" celebration and will be hoping his bat will do the talking.

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3. Dinesh Karthik:

Former wicketkeeper-batter, Dinesh Karthik, is another big name to join the LLC and will also lead the Southern Superstars in the upcoming season. Known for his explosive batting, and quick glove work, Karthik's presence will be a huge asset to Superstars. With 180 international appearances across formats, Karthik has scored 3463 runs, including a Test century and 17 fifties, while claiming 172 dismissals. His IPL career was equally impressive, scoring 4842 runs in 257 matches with 22 fifties. 

2. Imran Khan

The Trinidad-born leg spinner Imran Khan will be another exciting prospect in this tournament. Khan had a stellar performance in the previous edition and played a crucial role in Manipal Tigers' championship victory. The spinner emerged as the tournament's leading wicket-taker, claiming nine wickets in just five matches at an average of 20.66. As the Tigers gear up to defend their title, they will once again look to Khan to show his magic with the ball. 

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1. Irfan Pathan

The star all-rounder Irfan Pathan is all set to lead Konark Surya Odisha (formerly Bhilwara Kings) in the upcoming season. Pathan, who has been part of the tournament since its inception, will aim to guide his team to success. Last season, his on-field contribution included 106 runs in six innings and a single wicket. However, the 39-year-old recently played in the 2024 World Championship of Legends in England, where he smashed 154 runs in seven games and picked up two wickets. Pathan’s experience and leadership will be crucial to his team’s pursuits this year, and he will be a key player to watch out for.