Road Safety World Series will start this Saturday with a clash between defending champions India Legends and the Jonty Rhodes-led South Africa Legends in Kanpur. After the massive success of the first season, the tournament featuring retired cricketers will return with two more teams in season two.
Last year, India Legends, Sri Lanka Legends, South Africa Legends, Bangladesh Legends, England Legends and West Indies Legends played in the tournament. Australia Legends have returned this year after withdrawing from Road Safety World Series last season. New Zealand Legends will make their debut in the tournament.
Before India Legends’ first match in the tournament, here’s a look at their strongest possible playing XI for the game against South Africa Legends.
Openers – Sachin Tendulkar (c) and Naman Ojha (WK)
Captain Sachin Tendulkar will continue opening the innings for the India Legends team. His opening partner Virender Sehwag will not play this year. Sehwag will captain the Gujarat Giants in Legends League Cricket.
So Sachin will likely open the innings with wicket-keeper Naman Ojha. Naman was in top form earlier this year as he scored a hundred for the India Maharajas team.
Middle Order – Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, S Badrinath, Yusuf Pathan and Stuart Binny
Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh will reunite after many years in Road Safety World Series. Raina’s former CSK teammate S Badrinath is also a part of the squad.
All-rounders Yusuf Pathan and Stuart Binny complete the team’s middle-order. Both players still have a few years of cricket left in them and can make a massive impact.
Bowlers – Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel, Rahul Sharma and Pragyan Ojha
India Legends will likely pick two pacers and two spinners in their bowling unit. Irfan Pathan will lead the pace attack along with right-arm medium pacer Munaf Patel.
Leg-spinner Rahul Sharma and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha will form the spin attack. Raina, Yuvraj and Yusuf can also bowl spin if needed.
