Shikhar Dhawan's Legal Move Over Unauthorized Asia Warriors Selection

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-20

Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan didn't mince words when he discovered his name on the Asia Warriors squad list for the World T20 Continent Cup. The 40-year-old took to X on October 13, 2026, to set the record straight: he never agreed to play, and he's ready to take legal action against the organizers for using his name without permission. ### The Unexpected Discovery Imagine waking up to find your name on a team roster you never signed up for. That's exactly what happened to Dhawan. In a tweet posted at 9:55 AM IST, he told his millions of followers: "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." He also urged the media and fans to ignore any unauthorized announcements. "I request the media and my fans to not report or rely on any unauthorized announcements," he added, thanking them for their support. ### The Squad Controversy The Asia Warriors squad, as promoted by the league, included 24 players. Alongside Dhawan, it featured other former Indian internationals like Rahul Sharma, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, and Abhimanyu Mithun. The list also mixed in retired Pakistani players such as Sohail Tanvir, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Muhammad Imran Khan, plus international stars like Dwayne Smith, Rubel Hossain, and Mahmudullah Riyadh. > The organizers claimed Dhawan would lead the team, but he had other plans—or rather, no plans at all. Cricket fans were quick to express surprise on social media. Dhawan, known for his strong stance on national security, had previously backed the India Champions' withdrawal from a semifinal against Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends. His patriotic posts during regional tensions in 2025 made this unauthorized inclusion even more sensitive. ### Organizers Respond After Dhawan's public warning, the World T20 Continent Cup management posted a statement on Instagram. They acknowledged his exit, saying: "We regret to announce that Shikhar Dhawan will not be part of the Asia Warriors squad for the upcoming World T20 Continent Cup due to scheduling conflicts and certain technical considerations." But they didn't explain why his name was used in the first place. Their response didn't address Dhawan's allegations of unauthorized brand usage. It's a classic case of dodging the real issue, leaving fans and legal experts scratching their heads. ### What This Means for Players' Rights This incident shines a light on the importance of protecting one's brand and reputation. Athletes, especially retired stars, often find their names used to promote events without consent. Dhawan's decisive action sends a clear message: you can't just slap a famous name on a roster and expect no consequences. For the organizers, it's a PR nightmare. For Dhawan, it's a matter of principle. And for the rest of us, it's a reminder to stay vigilant about how our names and images are used. As the legal battle unfolds, one thing's for sure: Dhawan isn't backing down. And rightly so.