Shikhar Dhawan Threatens Legal Action Over Unauthorised World T20 Continent Cup Listing

Shikhar Dhawan Denies World T20 Continent Cup Participation, Warns Organisers of Legal Action

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has distanced himself from the inaugural World T20 Continent Cup after discovering that his name had been included in the tournament’s participant list without his consent. The left-handed batter has said his team will pursue appropriate legal action against the organisers over the unauthorised use of his name.

Dhawan had been announced as a member of the Asia Warriors squad for the tournament, scheduled to take place in Hong Kong in December. The squad announcement also featured Pakistan cricketers Iftikhar Ahmed and Sohail Tanvir.

Taking to X, Dhawan clarified that he had neither approved nor authorised his inclusion in the competition. He also urged media outlets and fans to exercise caution before accepting or sharing claims regarding his participation.

“I have come across my name as a participant in the World T20 Continent Cup. My name has been used by the organisers without my knowledge or permission, and my team will be taking the appropriate legal steps to address this,” Dhawan wrote.

He further requested the media and his supporters not to rely on unauthorised announcements, while thanking them for their continued love and support.

Organisers Confirm Dhawan’s Exit

Following the former India batter’s public clarification, the tournament organisers confirmed that Dhawan would not feature in the Asia Warriors squad. They cited “scheduling conflicts and certain technical considerations” as the reasons for his absence, without providing further details about his initial inclusion or his objections.

Dhawan’s withdrawal has raised questions about the process through which participants were announced, particularly as he had been promoted as one of the marquee names representing the Asia Warriors.

Other players listed for the competition include former India spinner Rahul Sharma, West Indies batter Dwayne Smith, and Bangladesh veterans Rubel Hossain and Mahmudullah Riyad.

The inaugural World T20 Continent Cup is scheduled to feature four teams: Asia Warriors, Europe Champions, Africa Lions and North America Eagles. The competition is expected to bring together 49 retired cricketers from different countries.

However, the controversy surrounding Dhawan’s inclusion has drawn attention to the importance of obtaining players’ consent before announcing their participation in sporting events.