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The much hyped and sought-after Road Safety World Series, is an initiative launched by the Road Safety cell of Maharashtra. It features ex-cricketers of various nations. The cricketers team up to form the respective teams of their nations. This initiative was launched to apprise people of the various rules of road safety and to subsequently raise awareness about it. A total of 6 teams/nations with the label “legends” will be taking part in this elusive tournament. The tournament will be starting from March 5, 2021.
Will MS Dhoni be a part of the Road Safety Series?
MS Dhoni, a stalwart of the game and former India captain, recently hung up his boots from international cricket. This was expected but it was indeed a watershed moment for all in the cricket fraternity. The Road Safety series features only former cricketers from various nations and fans believed that Dhoni would be taking part in this. But unfortunately, the answer is NO! This is because Dhoni has retired only from international cricket. He is still associated with BCCI and is available for selection to his home state, Jharkhand in domestic tournament. Additionally, he also features in the Indian Premier League. The Road Safety series’ policy states that, none of the participating cricketers from India can have an association with BCCI.
It is also worth noting that, BCCI does not grant a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to its players to play in foreign leagues and franchise cricket, unless they retire from all forms of cricket in India.
This can also most likely be the reason why some Indian cricketers recently called it quits on their career in India (including IPL). Swashbuckling all-rounder Yusuf Pathan, wicketkeeper Naman Ojha and pace bowler R Vinay Kumar, were the ones who retired from all forms of cricket recently. All of them are included in the squad, that shall represent India Legends in the Road Safety World Series.
Read More: Yusuf Pathan announces retirement from all forms of cricket (sportstiger.com)
Meanwhile, Australia Legends have pulled out of the series, citing COVID scares. Bangladesh Legends and England Legends have been added to this coveted series. The matches shall be taking place at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium International Stadium, Raipur, between 5th-21st March. Several legends and stalwarts of the game including Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Brian Lara, Jonty Rhodes and Kevin Pieterson will be playing in this series.
