The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly exploring the possibility of launching a new cricket league for retired cricketers, tentatively named the 'Legends Premier League.' This initiative has emerged following discussions between some former Indian cricketers and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who have proposed the idea to the board.
According to a report in Dainik Jagran, the BCCI is currently considering the proposal, though it remains in the early stages. A BCCI official confirmed, "We have received a proposal from former cricketers in this regard, which is being considered. However, it is still at the proposal stage."
Presently, the BCCI organises two major leagues: the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Women's Premier League (WPL). If the Legends Premier League comes to fruition, it would be the first such tournament organised by a national cricket board, distinguishing it from other privately run Legends leagues around the world.
Several leagues for retired cricketers already exist, such as the Global Legends League, Legends League Cricket, Road Safety World Series, and World Championship of Legends. These tournaments have seen participation from cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Chris Gayle, and AB de Villiers, and a similar BCCI-backed league could feature these stars as well.
Notably, Sachin Tendulkar led the India Legends team to victory in the first two editions of the Road Safety World Series. Recently, Yuvraj Singh captained the Indian team to triumph in the World Championship of Legends held in England. His squad included several members of India’s 2007 and 2011 T20 World Cup-winning teams, such as Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, and Robin Uthappa. In a thrilling final, India defeated Pakistan to secure the trophy.
However, even if the BCCI secures all the necessary approvals and moves forward with preparations, the Legends Premier League is unlikely to debut this year. With the IPL 2025 mega auction on the horizon, the Legends League would most likely become a reality next year.