The prestigious Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), based at cricket’s mecca Lord’s, has conferred its Honorary Life Membership on five Indian cricketers, including former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Apart from Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami have been given this honor. MCC CEO Guy Levander gave this membership to 19 cricketers, considering their contribution to international cricket.
South Africa’s Dale Steyn, England’s Kevin Pietersen, Eoin Morgan, Pakistan’s Mohammad Hafeez, Bangladesh’s Mashrafe Mortaza and New Zealand’s Ross Taylor are among those who got the membership.
The club’s cricket committee regards the nomination of players for life membership as recognition of ‘outstanding international careers for some of the game’s greats.’
Membership is also awarded to individuals who have contributed to the club or sport. Five Indian sportspersons have been recognized with Honorary Life Membership.
The note said, “Both MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh were integral parts of the Indian team that won the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup, the 2011 ICC ODI World Cup, and Suresh Raina scored over 5,500 ODI runs in a career spanning 13 years.”
Guy Lavender, CEO and Secretary of the MCC said: “We are thrilled to be able to announce our new group of Honorary Life Members of the MCC. The names announced today are some of the greatest international players of modern times. We are now privileged to count them as valued members of our club.”
Others who were awarded membership included Merissa Aguilera from the West Indies, Jenny Gunn, Laura Marsh, Anya Shrubsole, Eoin Morgan and Kevin Pietersen from England, Mohammad Hafeez of Pakistan, Mashrafe Mortaza of Bangladesh, Dale Steyn of South Africa, Australia’s Rachael Haynes and New Zealand’s Amy Satterwaite and Ross Taylor.
