“We watched legendary international cricket players on the internet and television, but now we are getting to see them in real life. We are so excited,” beamed a young fan outside Srinagar’s Bakshi Stadium, which is the venue for six T20 matches of the Legends League Cricket, a global league of former professional cricketers.
In preparation for the league, the stadium – which is locally the centre stage for football games – has recorded a major transformation. This comes years after K Vijay Kumar, then advisor to the governor, promised to renovate the sporting venue as per FIFA standards in August 2018. The stadium was eventually developed to host the LLC matches “because with its seating capacity, it can accommodate over 30,000 people,” as per the league’s presser.
As Srinagar hosted the first of the big games on October 9, thousands of cricket enthusiasts flooded the stadium to witness the match involving players such as Dinesh Karthik, Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Chris Gayle, Hashim Amla, and Martin Guptill, among others.
Before this, Kashmir held its last international cricket match in the 1980s. In the past decades, the region’s difficult political landscape has heavily dented its sporting culture, with no major sporting events held here despite the local’s enthusiasm for cricket and football. Following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the local sports landscape also took a hit. But the LLC matches now marks a significant shift.
Cricket craze in the valley
Kashmiris are passionate about cricket, with local matches often featuring bets and winning prizes worth lakhs of rupees. This enthusiasm has intensified as they flock to witness the LLC.
Mohammad Umer, a cricket enthusiast and resident of Srinagar’s Batwara area, told Newslaundry, “As I entered the stadium, the energy totally changed. It’s a great feeling to see an international cricket match in the stadium as compared to that on television… As the speakers blared music, my heart ran fast, and the atmosphere was electric. This has been like a dream come true.”
Another local Faizan, who was witnessing an international match for the first time, said the atmosphere was “amazing”. “It was an amazing moment for me as I saw the international players for the first time in my life and all of them in action. I saw my favourite cricket players like Chris Gayle and Hashim Amla in front of me.”
The excitement has doubled as the LLC has chosen Srinagar for the last leg of the series, including the semi-final and final matches on October 16.
Sport for cultural resurgence
Addressing the buzz about the matches, Jammu and Kashmir sports council secretary Nuzhat Gul hailed the matches “as a long-awaited dream fulfilled”.
Gul said, “The LLC has not only revived the love for cricket but has also ignited a broader conversation about the role sports can play in Kashmir’s cultural resurgence. With the stadium buzzing, children on the ground cheering their heroes, and fans reconnecting with a sport that had long been absent from the valley, the league is creating a narrative of unity.”
Sahil, a local from Sonwar in Srinagar, said that he had never thought he would see this day. “I used to listen about the game of international cricket, and today I witnessed it. Seeing my favourite players was an emotional moment for me.”
Farooq Ahmad, who is in his 60s, said he earlier came to Bakshi Stadium with his father to watch matches as a child. “After so many years of silence, hearing the cheers again at Bakshi Stadium feels like a lost part of our history is coming back to life. It’s not just a game but a symbol of revival of international cricket in the valley.”
Scores of fan moments
Besides it being special for cricket fans, several players also expressed their joy of playing in Kashmir for the first time.
Indian all-rounder Kedar Jadhav, who played his first match in Srinagar on October 9, said, “It is unforgettable playing here. The energy of the crowd is electrifying. I invite everyone from Srinagar and elsewhere to come and be a part of this beautiful game.”
In the third LLC game on October 11, as legendary cricketer Chris Gayle, also known as “Universe Boss”, stepped on the field, the crowd erupted with excitement. After his batting, the Jamaican cricketer tossed his batting pads into the crowd in a heartfelt gesture in return for the crowd’s thumping cheers. The stadium was packed to witness the match, with an estimated 25,000 spectators seated in the stands.
In another big fan movement, Syed Shahban, a young fan of Gayle, received a signed helmet from the player. An overwhelmed Shahban told Newslaundry, “I came here today specially for Gayle, and by seeing him and getting his helmet… I am very happy.”
Another young fan, Maaham Malik, told Newslaundry that she had come with her father from their far-flung village to witness an international cricket game “live and in a stadium” for the first time. “Now I have seen my favourite Chris Gayle playing and hitting sixes. I am super happy.”
Obaid Shafi, a cricket lover from Batwara, shared similar sentiments. “It was a great experience, and people were much excited to watch the legends live. The atmosphere was unbeatable. One of the most memorable moments for me was when Chris Gayle hit a six, and the entire stadium erupted with joy and celebration.”
Another local, Naveed, who had travelled from Budgam to watch the match, said he would “never forget these moments”. “I have been dreaming about this since childhood to see Gayle play, but tonight the dream came true, and Gayle has played a great knock. I request the sports department of Jammu and Kashmir to initiate other such international cricket games in Kashmir, which will surely help us improve in terms of sports.”
Pictures by Sahil Mir and Mubashir Hassan.
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