BuzzBytes Jammu, November 28, 2023:
Former New Zealand cricket captain Ross Taylor, amidst the Legends League T20 cricket event in Jammu, expressed admiration for the city, labeling it a “lovely place” and suggesting that the refurbished Maulana Azad Stadium could be a potential venue for Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.
Over 100 cricket legends, including Taylor, gathered for the second season of the Legends League T20, marking a triumphant return of competitive cricket to the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir after a hiatus of more than three decades.
The first of four matches took place at the 20,000-capacity stadium under floodlights, drawing an enthusiastic turnout of fans from across the region, including the Kashmir valley.
Taylor, reflecting on the game, stated, “You don’t want similar wickets everywhere, and the black soil here was a bit low and slow.” He commended the thrilling nature of T20 cricket, highlighting the match’s suspenseful conclusion where Southern SuperStars secured a five-wicket victory over Manipal Tigers.
In a post-match interaction, Taylor praised the organizers of the Legends League, emphasizing the importance of retired players staying involved in the game. He acknowledged the impact of cricket legends visiting non-traditional cricketing places like Jammu, fostering a connection between fans and their heroes.
Expressing his enjoyment of Jammu, Taylor remarked, “This is a lovely part of the world.” Meanwhile, some players, including Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, and S Sreesanth, visited the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, while others explored the Jammu Tawi Golf Course.
Legends League cricket co-founder and CEO Raman Raheja thanked the sizable crowd for their attendance, stating that the league’s objective is to bring cricket to areas where the game has not been played for an extended period. He announced the successful completion of eight matches in Ranchi and Dehradun, with four more scheduled in Jammu.
The event has garnered appreciation from locals, with Sanjay Kumar expressing the community’s happiness about hosting competitive cricket in Jammu. However, he requested a reduction in ticket rates for the remaining three games to further enhance accessibility for the residents.
