Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
Another year, another cricket league, but all familiar names. Dubai became the scene of a grand unveiling of a Legends 90 League, signalling the advent of a 15-over format for retired or semi-retired veteran players, in which the organisers hope to bridge the gap between the game’s historical icons and its current crop of short-format action stars.
A news conference, staged at the Shangri-La hotel, confirmed that the tournament will be held in March 2026 – providing a 90-ball platform for world-class talents such as allrounder JP Duminy (South Africa), James Vince (England), and Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh.
On the appeal of blowing away the cobwebs, speaking on behalf of the senior players, former South African captain Duminy summed it up the best when he said the charm is for especially Test and one-day international players to shake off their ingrained conservative batting techniques and go out to try “the kind of audacious strokeplay on display which is entertaining the fans”.
For active players like Vince – who is currently balancing the rigours of high-intensity leagues such as the DP World ILT20 with the Gulf Giants team – the Legends 90 League presents a unique environment where modern athleticism meets the varying fitness levels of retired greats.
Addressing a question from Aletihad on the challenge of competing against players at different stages of their post-professional careers, Vince emphasised the importance of situational awareness and mutual respect on the field. “If this is actually anywhere, you’ve got someone that’s a lot more experience than you, you’ve got to try and weigh up the situation and provide a plan in that moment,” Vince said.
He acknowledged that the tournament naturally brings together individuals with varying levels of physical conditioning, noting: “I think there will be times obviously when people are retired and different fitness levels and people at different stages. I think being aware of that and paying respect to the guys that deserve it and need it in those moments for me.”
Duminy echoed the sentiment that while fitness levels might vary, the underlying competitive spirit remains constant. Duminy emphasised that once players step onto the field, age and status become secondary to the desire to win and maintain one’s standing in the game.
“If the competition is there, that brings the best out of the athlete and that’s exactly what we look to do when we are in the competition, whichever level it may be,” he said.
Duminy also spoke about the broader responsibility the players have toward the sport’s ecosystem, including the fans and the investors who support these ventures.
“The reality is, as players, we are nothing without our fans. And we’ve got to really pay that back to them and give time to them and time to the owners that are investing in the game,” he added.
Currently the league comprises five franchises. The tournament dates and team lineups will be finalised in due course.
