Shikhar Dhawan threatens legal action after being listed as Asia Warriors captain for World T20 Continent Cup

Former Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan said he will take legal action after organisers of the World T20 Continent Cup listed him as captain of the Asia Warriors for the tournament’s inaugural season in Hong Kong in December 2026. He issued the warning after an official post naming the participating squads included his name without his consent.

The World T20 Continent Cup is a newly launched franchise T20 tournament organised by Atherra Sports Pvt. Ltd. The event is intended to bring retired and star international players together and will feature four teams: Asia Warriors, Africa Lions, Europe Champions and North America Eagles. The competition is scheduled to comprise nine matches, with a group stage of six games followed by a playoffs round, and all four squads have been announced.

Organisers shared an official post about the participating squads that showed Dhawan as Asia Warriors captain; the 40-year-old responded promptly on social media, saying his name had been used without his knowledge or permission. He also asked media and fans not to report or rely on unauthorised announcements and said his team would pursue legal steps.

Dhawan posted: "I have come across my name as a participant in the World T20 Continent Cup. My name has been used by the organizers without my knowledge or permission, and my team will be taking the appropriate legal steps to address this. I request the media and my fans to not report or rely on any unauthorized announcements. Thank you for your continued love and support."

The Asia Warriors squad named several Pakistani players alongside Indians; other Indian cricketers listed in the team were Rahul Sharma, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, and Abhimanyu Mithun. Dhawan has been vocal against Pakistan since Operation Sindoor in 2025, and his inclusion in a squad featuring Pakistani players surprised many fans.

After Dhawan’s statement, the organisers confirmed that he will not participate in the tournament.

Organisers indicate the inaugural season will be played in Hong Kong in December 2026.