Srinagar: The iconic Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar is all set to host its first-ever Legends League Cricket (LLC) match today, featuring international cricket stars from India and around the world in action.
Cricket fans are set to witness a star-studded encounter between Toyam Hyderabad and Southern Super Stars in Match 19 of the tournament, marking the return of international cricket players to the Valley for the first time in almost four decades.
International stars such as Martin Guptill and Dinesh Karthik from Southern Super Stars, alongside Suresh Raina and Stuart Binny from Toyam Hyderabad, have already arrived in Srinagar, fueling excitement in the region.
The Southern SuperStars, led by Karthik, are up against a formidable Toyam Hyderabad side under Raina’s leadership. Fans will also see players like Kedar Jadhav, Pawan Negi, Parthiv Patel, and Shaun Marsh grace the field.
Mudasir Ahmad, a local athlete and longtime cricket fan, shared his excitement: “It is going to be something new for me and for the cricket enthusiasts. It will be the first time we see superstars, who have earned their names, playing in Kashmir. I am excited.”
The Bakshi Stadium has been selected over Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium due to its 30,000-seat capacity, allowing a larger crowd to witness the historic event. The ground, which was primarily a football stadium, has been revamped with the help of international pitch experts to meet cricketing standards.
“We should have IPL and other league matches here in Srinagar. Maybe this league will pave the way for something more,” said Khalid, a young cricket enthusiast from the city.
This tournament, which kicked off on September 20, is expected to wrap up its remaining matches in Srinagar.
In addition to today’s clash, Bakshi Stadium will host matches featuring other iconic cricket legends, including Ian Bell, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Shikhar Dhawan, and Chris Gayle over the next week.
Given the scale of the event, security measures have been significantly heightened.
Senior police officials and security agencies have set up tight arrangements around the stadium. Metal detectors, drone surveillance, and additional personnel have been deployed to ensure a smooth and safe event.
“We have a comprehensive security plan in place, and our priority is the safety of players, officials, and spectators,” a senior police officer overseeing the arrangements told said
With the final match of the league set for October 16, this marks a monumental return of international cricket to Kashmir after nearly 40 years. Fans and organizers alike are hopeful this event will pave the way for larger cricketing tournaments in the region, potentially even the IPL.
