Will take on a Rest of the World team led by Andrew Strauss.
By Dileep Thekkethil
Follow @ambazaarmag
It seems like the time has arrived for Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and dashing former India opening batsman Virender Sehwag to show that no love has been lost among the two charismatic players.
MS Dhoni and Sehwag, along with a team of top international cricketers, including Pakistani Shahid Afridi and the South African Herschelle Gibbs will play a charity limited overs match in Kai Oval in London on September 17 for the fundraiser called Cricket for Heroes.
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Help for Heroes Cricket Club is a part of the Help for Heroes Sports Recovery Programme that work towards helping the wounded, injured and sick military personnel and veterans from the British Armed Forces.
According to the official website of Kai Oval, the Help for Heroes XI will be managed by Sir Ian Botham. The Rest of the World XI will be managed by legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar and will be coached by Gary Kirsten, the coach of India’s World Cup winning team of 2011.
Andrew Strauss, Captain, Help for Heroes XI, said, “I feel a great sense of pride to be involved in this unique cricket event which is an end of season celebration. I can’t wait to lead out so many International stars for such a great cause.”
Allan Lamb, Chair of Selectors, said: “I am sure that the cricketing world will embrace this exciting game on the 17th September. As Chair of Selectors, I am intent on picking the very best teams to play each other for this great cause. We want to create a fantastic spirit on the day – and I am convinced we will do that.”
MS Dhoni said: “I am delighted to be joining so many cricketing superstars at the Kia Oval and supporting such a worthy cause. I’ve always enjoyed playing cricket in England and I would urge all sports fans to support Help for Heroes on September 17 and watch some truly world class performers in action.”
Virender Sehwag is one of the most charming batsmen India has ever produced, but it is believed that the succession of MS Dhoni, who was the junior wicketkeeper-batsman as the replacement for Rahul Dravid as the captain in 2007 worried Sehwag, leading to a rift in the team. Many associate his disappearance from the “Team India” to his long-standing disputes with MS Dhoni.
Dhoni added, “I’ve always enjoyed playing cricket in England and I would urge all sports fans to support Help for Heroes on September 17 and watch some truly world class performers in action.”
Help for Heroes team: Andrew Strauss (c), Herschelle Gibbs, Virender Sehwag, MS Dhoni, Damien Martyn, Lieutenant Commander Jonathan Parker, Corporal Jake Wray, Shahid Afridi, Graeme Swann, Simon Jones, Matthew Hoggard, Darren Gough.
Manager: Ian Botham.
Rest of the World team: Brendon McCullum (c), Matthew Hayden, Graeme Smith, Mahela Jayawardene, Major Storm Green, Brian Lara, Abdul Razzaq, Scott Styris, Dan Vettori, Tim Southee, Shapoor Zadran, (12th Member to be Confirmed).
Manager: Sunil Gavaskar. Coach: Gary Kirsten.
1 Comment
East or West, Sehwag is the best… Love you guru