Harsha Bhogle Critiques the Rise of Legends League in Cricket
Harsha Bhogle's Concerns on Legends League
Harsha Bhogle has expressed his concerns regarding the increasing number of 'Legends League' events in cricket. His remarks come as the 2026 edition of Legends League Cricket (LLC) unfolds in India, featuring numerous former cricket stars from both India and abroad. This marks the fourth iteration of the tournament, which is being held in cities like Haldwani, Dehradun, Coimbatore, and Amritsar. The league commenced on March 11, with the final set for March 27, just a day prior to the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The LLC is among several leagues catering to retired cricketers, including the Road Safety League, World Championship of Legends (WCL), International Masters League (IML), and Asian Legends League (ALL), among others.
Bhogle's Take on the Use of 'Legends'
Bhogle highlighted the overuse of the term 'legend,' suggesting that it diminishes its significance, which should be reserved for a select few. He shared his thoughts on social media, stating, "Notice there is a new 'legends' league round every corner. Obviously, my English teacher at school didn't teach me well enough because we grew up thinking legends are very rare and extraordinarily distinguished people."
Notice there is a new "legends" league round every corner. Obviously my English teacher at school didn't teach me well enough because we grew up thinking legends are very rare and extraordinarily distinguished people.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 17, 2026
While the concept was initially a fresh opportunity for retired players to remain active in the sport, the proliferation of such leagues has diluted their exclusivity and the caliber of participants. Indian players can only join these leagues after retiring from all forms of Indian cricket, meaning participation in any of these competitions renders them ineligible for the national team and the IPL, as well as other domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT), and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).