Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has announced that he will pursue legal action against the organisers of the World T20 Continent Cup after his name appeared on the tournament’s list of participants without his knowledge or permission.
Dhawan addressed the issue on social media on Tuesday, distancing himself from the competition and asking media organisations and fans not to circulate unauthorised announcements about his participation.
The former India batter was reportedly listed as a member of Asia Warriors, a team featuring several Pakistani cricketers. However, Dhawan firmly denied any association with the tournament and said his team would take appropriate legal steps to address the matter.
Dhawan denies involvement in World T20 Continent Cup
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Dhawan said the tournament organisers had used his name without obtaining his knowledge or permission.
He confirmed that his team would take appropriate legal action over the unauthorised listing. He also urged the media and his supporters to avoid relying on announcements that had not been authorised by him.
Dhawan’s statement made clear that his name appearing on the participants’ list should not be interpreted as confirmation that he had agreed to play in the competition.
The former India opener also thanked his fans for their continued support, while asking them to exercise caution before sharing reports about his involvement.
His response came after reports emerged that he would represent Asia Warriors in the tournament. Dhawan has now publicly distanced himself from the event, leaving the organisers’ announcement at odds with his own statement.
Former India players also listed in Asia Warriors squad
Dhawan was not the only Indian cricketer named in the reported Asia Warriors squad. Former India players Rahul Sharma, Gurkeerat Singh Mann and Abhimanyu Mithun were also listed among the team’s members.
The 24-member squad reportedly included several Pakistani cricketers as well. Among those named were Sohail Tanvir, Iftikhar Ahmed and Muhammad Imran Khan.
The reported combination of Indian and Pakistani players attracted attention, particularly after Dhawan publicly rejected the suggestion that he was participating.
However, the presence of a player’s name on a squad list does not, by itself, establish that the player has agreed to take part. Dhawan’s statement specifically challenged the legitimacy of his inclusion and said the organisers had acted without his permission.
The supplied report does not include a response from the tournament organisers addressing Dhawan’s allegations.
Dhawan’s previous comments on India-Pakistan tensions
The controversy has also drawn attention because of Dhawan’s public comments during the tensions between India and Pakistan in 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.
At that time, Dhawan posted messages on social media expressing support for India’s stand against terrorism. His earlier remarks have since become part of the discussion surrounding reports that he had been included in a squad featuring Pakistani players.
The connection between his previous statements and the tournament listing has prompted questions among fans. However, Dhawan’s immediate objection concerns the use of his name without his knowledge or permission, as stated in his post.
His latest response does not confirm any participation in the event. Instead, he has explicitly distanced himself from the tournament and indicated that his team will address the matter through legal channels.
Legal action may follow over the unauthorised use of his name
Dhawan’s announcement puts the focus on how the tournament organisers included his name in their reported participants’ list.
The former India international has said his team will take appropriate legal steps. He has also asked media organisations and fans not to rely on unauthorised announcements about his participation.
No details of a formal legal filing or any outcome of legal proceedings were provided in the supplied report. The organisers’ response was also not included.
For now, Dhawan’s public statement is a clear denial of his reported involvement in the World T20 Continent Cup. His position is that his name was used without his consent, and he intends to address the issue through his team.
The episode highlights the importance of confirming player participation directly, particularly when a reported squad announcement involves prominent international cricketers.