Delhi: Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has warned of legal action against the organisers of the World T20 Continent Cup after discovering that his name had been included in the tournament’s list of participants without his knowledge or permission.
Dhawan took to social media platform X on Tuesday to clarify his position, firmly denying any association with the competition and cautioning media outlets and fans against circulating unauthorised claims about his participation.
The former India international was reportedly listed as a member of the Asia Warriors squad, a team featuring several Indian and Pakistani cricketers. However, Dhawan said the organisers had used his name without obtaining his consent.
In his statement, the left-handed batter made it clear that his team would pursue appropriate legal remedies over the unauthorised use of his name.
“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 on X.
He also urged the media and his supporters not to rely on or publish announcements that had not been authorised by him.
“I request the media and my fans to not report or rely on any unauthorised announcements. Thank you for your continued love and support,” he added.
Other Indian Cricketers Also Listed in Asia Warriors Squad
Dhawan was reportedly not the only former Indian international named in the Asia Warriors squad. Former India cricketers Rahul Sharma, Gurkeerat Singh Mann and Abhimanyu Mithun were also listed among the team’s members.
The reported 24-member squad included several Pakistani players, with Sohail Tanvir, Iftikhar Ahmed and Muhammad Imran Khan among the names mentioned in the announcement.
However, Dhawan’s public clarification has raised questions about the authorisation and accuracy of the squad announcement. The organisers’ response to his allegations was not included in the information available at the time of writing.
Dhawan’s Previous Comments on Pakistan Resurface
The controversy has also drawn attention to Dhawan’s earlier public statements concerning Pakistan, particularly during the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan in 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor.
During that period, Dhawan expressed support for India’s stand against terrorism through social media posts.
His reported inclusion in a squad featuring Pakistani cricketers consequently attracted attention among fans. However, Dhawan’s latest statement centres on the alleged unauthorised use of his name and his decision to consider legal action.
For now, the former India opener has publicly distanced himself from the World T20 Continent Cup, making it clear that any claims about his participation should not be treated as authorised unless confirmed by him or his representatives.
