The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has given life membership to five Indian cricket legends, including MS Dhoni, who was the captain of the team that won the World Cup. In a decision made public on April 5, the prestigious London club gave honorary membership to 19 men and women cricketers, including Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh, who were both on Dhoni’s World Cup-winning team in 2011.
Mithali Raj has scored the most runs in women’s cricket (7,805 in 211 innings), and Jhulan Goswami has taken the most wickets in women’s one-day internationals (ODIs). Both of them are on the roll of honor, which also includes five players from England, India, Australia, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, and the West Indies.
Merissa Aguilleira (West Indies, 2008-2019), Jenny Gunn (England, 2004-2019), Muhammad Hafeez (Pakistan, 2003-2021), Rachael Haynes (Australia, 2009-2022), Laura Marsh (England, 2006-2019), Eoin Morgan (England, 2006-2022), Mashrafe Mortaza (Bangladesh, 2001-2020), Kevin Pietersen (England, 2005-2014), Amy Satter (New Zealand, 2006-2022)
Guy Lavender, the CEO and Secretary of MCC, said, “As we get ready for the new international summer, we are thrilled to be able to announce our newest group of Honorary Life Members of MCC. Some of the best international players of our time are among the names that were announced today, and we are proud to have them as Members of our Club.
“We are also happy to tell you that two people have been given this honor for making huge contributions off the field.”
The Cricket Committee of MCC looks at nominations for Honorary Life Membership for cricketers. This is to honor the great international careers of some of the game’s best players. Honorary Life Memberships are also given to people who have made a big difference for MCC or for cricket in general.
Once the MCC Committee gives the go-ahead, letters of invitation are sent to the person to accept. There is no set amount each year. Nominees can accept the honor at any time and be given it. In October 2021, 18 former international players, such as Sir Alastair Cook, Jacques Kallis, Harbhajan Singh, and Sarah Taylor, were named as the last group.
