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The third edition of the Legends League Cricket (LLC) is underway and we have already witnessed six closely contested matches. The pitches in Jodhpur have traditionally supported the spinners where run-scoring has been pretty difficult. However, we have still witnessed some pretty high-scoring games.
The tournament in the last two years have kept fans hooked to the television sets as we don't often get to see the stars of the yesteryears coming out and playing professional cricket. Several top bracket players are part of the competition but it's the standard of cricket which has allowed the tournament to flourish.
As far as the current points tally, the Southern Superstars are occupying the top spot with three wins from as many games and are four points clear of the second ranked team, the Konark Suryas Odisha. Each and every team has a well oiled unit and has the opportunity to field and impact players if required just like the IPL.
With the third edition of the tournament just in its infancy, let us have a look at five player batters to watch out for in the upcoming games.
#5. Ambati Rayudu vs Abdur Razzak
The spinners have ruled the roost in the tournament so far and the trend is expected to continue even in Surat. One of the most prominent batters from the Konark Suryas Odisha is none other than the recently retired Ambati Rayudu who was recently part of the India Champions squad, which won the inaugural edition of the World Championship of Legends.
He might not be one of the most best strikers going around but he is well equipped to the modern demands of the game and can play any role which the team requires. He has found it difficult while facing quality left-arm spinners and the battle between Rayudu and former Bangladesh spinner Abdur Razzak could be intriguing.
Razzak has bowled brilliantly in the tournament so far and has bagged four wickets in three games at an incredible economy rate of 4.58. He has loved bowling to the right-handers and Rayudu being one of the most complete players in the tournament will be itching to take him on which could also bring about his downfall.
#4 Yusuf Pathan vs Harbhajan Singh
One of the fiercest ball strikers to have ever played the game of cricket, Yusuf Pathan still remains a sought-after player in the competitions for retired players. He was at his stupendous best during the Zim-Afro T10 last year where he helped his side notch up an incredible come-from-behind victory with a blistering knock.
His match-up against Harbhajan Singh, the Manipal Tigers captain, is expected to be exciting. Yusuf loves taking the spinners on but Harbhajan is also a wily customer who has a wide variety of deception up his sleeve. While the match-up favours Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan has all the attributes to send back his former teammate.
#3 Shikhar Dhawan vs Vinay Kumar
Shikhar Dhawan is one of the recent entries to the Legend League Cricket after calling it quits from professional cricket last month. He is one of those very few players in the competition who still has the ability to play any top-class bowling attack from the present generation. It will be a challenge for any bowlers to come up against Dhawan who can decimate any bowling attack on his day.
Dhawan, like most other batters, is a shaky starter. Vinay Kumar who moves the ball both ways, especially with the new ball will look to prize him out when Gujarat Greats square off against Odisha.
Dhawan might tend to charge him in the powerplay and things could go either ways. Overall, this player battle could turn out to be an exciting one for the viewers.
#2 Ben Dunk vs Pragyan Ojha
One of the most powerful strikers in the ongoing editing of the LLC is Ben Dunk who has already announced his arrival in the competition with a couple of stunning knocks.
Playing for the India Capitals, Dunk has scored 121 runs in two games at a strike rate of 189.06. He led a charmed life in the previous game against the Southern Superstars and took a liking against the left-arm spinners.
Pragyan Ojha who is part of the Manipal Tigers squad will look to get the better of him when the two teams square off. The battle can go either way and with Dunk having all the momentum so far, he could turn out triumphant yet again. However, Ojha is a world-class bowler and loves challenges so it would be foolish to write him off.
#1 Suresh Raina vs Shahbaz Nadeem
Suresh Raina in his heydays was one of the most integral members of the Indian limited overs side and went on to represent the Chennai Super Kings for the majority of his IPL career.
His T20 record speaks for itself but he hasn't managed to show his worth in the Legends competition. He can clear any boundary ropes and can also mould his game depending upon the situation of the game.
Raina is the captain of the Toyam Hyderabad who are yet to win a game in the tournament so far. The southpaw has to come out all guns blazing in the remainder of the tournament if his team stands a chance.
His match-up against Shahbaz Nadeem who plays for Odisha could be an exciting one. Nadeem has started the tournament well and will look to get the better of Raina when the two sides lock horns against each other.
