Former India all-rounder Rishi Dhawan has made a remarkable impact in the ongoing Legend 90 League, playing for Chhattisgarh Warriors in Raipur. Despite recently retiring from domestic limited-overs cricket, Dhawan has seamlessly transitioned into this new phase of his career, delivering match-winning performances.

Dhawan’s journey to this tournament has been special, as he and his wife, Deepali, welcomed their baby girl just weeks before the tournament. In his debut match, Dhawan opened the batting and scored a stunning 50 off 24 balls against Dubai Giants. He followed this up with a brilliant spell, taking three wickets to guide his team to a 63-run victory.

The performance was a statement that retirement may have taken him out of professional cricket, but it certainly hasn’t dulled his instincts. He didn’t stop there.

In the next match against Big Boys Unikari, Dhawan played a crucial role in a record-breaking performance. The Warriors posted 240/0, with Martin Guptill scoring 160 off 49 balls. Dhawan contributed an unbeaten 76 off 42 deliveries, helping his team secure an 89-run win.

Reflecting on his debut, Dhawan expressed excitement about playing in the Legend 90 League. “It felt really good to play in this league for the first time. Making my debut here and contributing to the team’s victory was special. The atmosphere, the pitch, and the facilities are excellent, and I’m happy I could help the team win,” he said.

Despite retiring from domestic white-ball cricket, Rishi Dhawan emphasised how tournaments like these allow former players to stay involved in the game. “It’s great to continue playing cricket even after retirement. It keeps the body fit and maintains that connection with the game. No matter how much time passes, cricket never really leaves you. Playing occasionally like this is a fantastic way to stay engaged.”

The unique format of the Legend 90 League has also impressed Dhawan. “The format is very interesting and quite different. It requires you to stay mentally sharp because of the additional batting power play and bowling restrictions,” he said.

“The game moves so fast that you don’t always have a clear idea of what a winning total should be over 90 balls. But as we keep playing, I’m sure we’ll get used to it,” added Dhawan. He also acknowledged the home crowd’s support, with Chhattisgarh Warriors being the local team. With three wins in three matches, Chhattisgarh Warriors are currently leading the points table.