13 legendary cricketers we would like to see in the MCL

Following the big announcement of a T20 tournament for retired legends by Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne, former Australian cricketer Dean Jones has announced another tournament for veterans called the Masters Champions League. The event will be held in the UAE in February next year. It will comprise of 6 teams consisting of icon players and players from associate nations.The catchcry will be the icons and Brian Lara, Wasim Akram, Adam Gilchrist and Jaques Kallis have already put their weight behind it.Here is a compilation of our favourites whom we would love to watch on the field again via this tournament:

#13 Daniel Vettori

Vettori retired earlier this year

‘A bespectacled lanky fellow’ is how Daniel Vettori will be remembered by cricket fans everywhere. He is one of the greatest left-arm spinners in the game and retired earlier this year after the World Cup final.

He believes that T20 helps in improving a spinner and makes them ‘think a step ahead and take the extra risk’. He was a silent champion and never got his due unlike his contemporaries. This MCL will prove to be the ideal ground to celebrate one of the most underrated cricketer of our times.

#12 Shaun Pollock

Pollock is ideally suited for T20

Who can easily forget this baby-faced all rounder who has won matches for the Proteas with both bat and ball. He deceived batsmen with his subtle variations and was an excellent fielder during his heydays.

He led the South African team during turbulent times post-2000. He played for the Mumbai Indians in the first edition of the IPL.

#11 Shoaib Akthar

Akhtar retired in 2011

‘The Rawalpindi Express’ was one of the finest fast bowlers to have emerged out of Pakistan. He owns the record for the fastest ball at 161.3 km/hr and has threatened batsmen all over with his pace and aggression.

He is one of the most mercurial yet candid bowlers to have played the game and defined fast bowling for generations to come. He can still crank up somewhere around 140 km/hr at this age.

#10 Jonty Rhodes

Having Rhodes grace the field will be a great sight

Any measure of fielding brilliance in present day invariably draws a comparison with Jonty Rhodes. The level of fielding standard that he displayed was so high and that makes him a class apart. He once famously said “Fielding isn’t work when you are enjoying it”.

With the onus on fielding drastically improving every day, Jonty’s relevance has only increased and we would love to see a diving Jonty at backward point one more time in the MCL.

#9 Glenn McGrath

McGrath can still cut it at 45

Glenn McGrath was one of the core members of one of the most successful Australian teams ever. He was a role model for many present cricketers and many tried to emulate his bowling style.

Having him in the tournament would be great since we could relive some epic past battles. He is 45 years old but if Wasim at 49 can play, then so can McGrath.

#8 Muttiah Muralitharan

Can Murali still weave his magic?

Muttiah Muralitharan is undoubtedly one of the greatest bowlers to have played the game and has more than 1000 international wickets to his credit. Despite being marred by controversies throughout his career, this prodigious cricketer has achieved something that others could only aspire for.

Murali is one of the greatest ambassadors of the game in the global arena and has forged a very good playing relationship with most of his fellow cricketers. Anyone who loves the game would want Murali to come back and bowl those magical doosras and fox the batsman for one more time.

#7 Andrew Flintoff

Flintoff made a comeback recently

Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff was one of the best all-rounders to have played the game. He was one of the most colourful characters on the field and his ‘tongue-in-cheek’ remarks amused many and made him a constant entertainer.

The bulky cricketer was famous for his acts on and off the field and has won matches for England with many memorable performances with bat and the ball. He made a short comeback for Lancashire in T20 Cricket recently.

#6 Brett Lee

Lee’s stint with the Sydney Sixers was a successful one

Brett Lee is one of the most loved cricketers of all time. He is someone who is aggressive on the field and an absolute sport off it. His beautiful bowling action was envied by many and few could escape him when he was on song.

It’s been really long since we witnessed his fiery bouncers and deathly stares to rattle up the batsmen. He is a crowd-puller and an absolute rockstar.Binga(as he is fondly called) has been the epitome of consistent fast bowling and is arguably one of the greatest inspirations for budding cricketers all over the globe.

#5 Shane Warne

Warne led an underrated team to the title in the IPL

Every aspiring spinner throughout the world wants to be Shane Warne and repeat the magical ‘ball of the century’ that he bowled. Warne is one of the most competitive cricketers and the best legspinner that the game has ever produced and it was evident with the way he developed a mighty Rajasthan Royals team out of literally unknown youngsters.

When asked about his bowling, he said,”Part of the art of bowling spin is to make the batsman think something special is happening when it isn't.” This is the magic that we are waiting to see.

#4 Rahul Dravid

Dravid was successful in the IPL

Rahul Dravid is a personification of hardwork, grit and determination. In an age where rivalries and sledging are becoming an inevitable part of the game, Dravid stands out with his man-management skills and soft-spoken nature. ’The Wall’ is the perfect example of a ‘good old boy’ who is ready to teach the younger generation, the nuances of the game.

We would definitely want India’s new U-19 and A team coach to pass on his expertise and those gorgeous square drives by batting in the MCL for one more time.

#3 Sanath Jayasuriya

Imagine Jayasuriya vs Akram again

The Matara Mauler was the original meaning of power hitting in limited-overs cricket. Anyone who has watched the game will remember the excitement while watching Jayasuriya demolish bowling attacks and hit boundaries at will.

His aggressive batting style is perfect for T20 and field restrictions will only add to his scoring ability.Jayasuriya will definitely lightup the MCL with his all-round abilities and the youngsters will have loads to learn from the epitome of attacking batsmanship.

#2 Ricky Ponting

Most successful Cricketer ever

Ricky Ponting is arguably the best captain that the cricketing world has seen. His recent stint as coach of the victorious Mumbai Indians has shown that his penchant for winning is still the same.

Punter was one of the chief architects of Australia’s ‘Golden Period’.Speaking about Ponting, Allan Border once said,”It takes three ingredients to make a great player – determination, courage and skill – and he's got all three in abundance.”A player of Punter’s stature will work wonders for any team that he plays for and make the tournament more fierce and competitive.

#1 Sachin Tendulkar

Mr.Obvious

Every cricket fan will forever remember ‘Sachiiin..Sachin’ reverberating through their ears whenever the ‘Little Master’ takes the field. While we are still getting used to the fact that we won’t be seeing him in India colours anymore, the MCL will be the perfect opportunity to witness those cover drives again.

The tournament might provide ample opportunities for a Sachin-Warne face-off and what better place than Sharjah which gave us memories for a lifetime. Fans around the globe will be eagerly waiting to worship the ‘god’ one more time and would be hoping that he would make it.