International cricket stars to light up Jodhpur’s Barkatullah Khan Stadium

By K.R. Nayar in Cuttack 

Thanks to Sky247.net Legends League Cricket, international cricket stars are returning to a ground where they have not been for nearly 20 years .Jodhpur’s Barkatullah Khan Stadium last staged an international cricket match in November 2002 when India and West Indies clashed in the sixth match of a seven-match series of the West Indies tour of India.

Captains to meet again at Jodhpur

So Legends League Cricket virtually ends the wait of the cricket fans from this city when Gujarat Giants and Bhilwara Kings clash on September 30 at the Barkatullah Khan Stadium. What is interesting is that Chris Gayle and Ricardo Powell of West Indies, who played in the November 2002 match, will be playing in this match. From India, Virender Sehwag, Mohammad Kaif and Reetinder Sodhi had also played in this match.

Chris Gayle returns to Jodhpur where he played 20 years ago 

Jodhpur is known as the Blue City. It is said that copper sulphate found in the soil here, under certain conditions turns blue, giving the houses their blue colour. This match will also be an opportunity for fans to see great players like Jacques Kallis, Brett Lee, Muttiah Muralitharan, Harbhajan Singh, Graeme Swann, and Mitchell Johnson in action, all of whom they have only seen on television.

The September 30 match between Gujarat Giants and Bhilwara Kings will be a revenge match since the Kings had beaten Giants in Cuttack during their last encounter. On paper, the Virender Sehwag-led Adani Sportsline’s Gujarat Giants made up of aggressive batters like Chris Gayle and Tilakaratne Dilshan looks strong.  The Irfan Pathan captained Bhilwara Kings consists allrounders and strike bowlers like Yusuf Pathan and S Sreesanth.

Virender Sehwag...aiming for a victory 

Sehwag has played down his team’s defeat to Bhilwara Kings saying: “It just wasn't our day. Either Chris Gayle, Kevin O'Brien or myself should have stayed out there and batted through the innings. Our bowlers did their best, but the Kings completely outplayed us.”

Bhilwara Kings captain Irfan Pathan wants to capitalize on the win over Gujarat Kings, and said: “It was a very good result. I am extremely pleased by the manner of our victory. Batting at number three really attracts me, and frees my mind up. All of our players did well, but a special shout out to Jesal Karia, who was fantastic. Having played only first-class cricket, it was great to see him do well at this level amongst celebrated international stars.”