Raj Dutta

VETERANS DAY CRICKET-2022

The match starts much, much earlier than the actual Match - Sachin Tendulkar

CINC WITH VETERANS TEAM

The NFMC fraternity is aware of the ethos of the above quote that has been the diktat of Cdr Vijay Vadhera, President NFMC in all his actions. Take for example the preparations of 2023 cricket on the very first day of next year are already on the cards along with Veterans Day Parade on 15 Jan 2023.

The Veterans team formation commenced a month in advance with the formation of a Whatsapp group by the Team Captain Cdr Vijay Vadhera and three practices were undertaken in the NOFRA grounds on 10^th, 19th and 26^th Dec 2021 for the final clash on Sun 02^th Jan 2022 at the Kohli stadium.

Both the teams had a couple of practices of their teams at the NOFRA hockey ground prior to the T-15 final match. Admin Orders were issued by CAPO for coordination and conduct of the match, detailing K-22 and Kunjali for organising the event. A rolling trophy had been instituted by NFMC which was taken home by the Veterans in 2020. The individual trophies for Best Batsman, Bowler and Man of the Match were introduced by WNC. The Kohli stadium ground was prepared and well decked up for 02^th Jan. There were two separate enclosures for players and enough chairs in the stands for spectators. It was planned to commence the match at 10’ O clock to finish it in time for Beer and Lunch at IMSC for the teams and all spectators. Both the teams, the young Veterans XI and the younger C-in-C XI were evenly poised to lift the Rolling Trophy. Veterans were eager to defend it.

THE CLASH OF 02 JAN 2022

Veterans XI: Cdr Vijay Vadhera (Capt), Cdr Tony Chacko (V Cap/WK), Cdr Brijesh Bhatnagar, Cdr Hari Subramaniam, Cdr Murli Menon, Cdr Nevil Malao, Cdr Ritesh Menon, Cdr Dinesh Rai, Cdr Puran Rawat, Lt Neelabh Singh, Cdr Adhir Patel (12^th Man- Cdr HM Rao)

C-in-C XI : VAdm K Swaminathan (COS, Capt), Cmde S Chopra, Cmde A Vadhera, Capt Sumit Bhatnagar, Cdr PV Suryanarayana, Cdr Parashar, Cdr S Diwakar, Cdr Gaurav Shukla, Cdr V Kumawat, Cdr Irfan Khan, Cdr Akshay Chullu, (12^th Man- Col MP Singh)

Commentators : Cdr Raj Dutta & Rajinder Singh, CPOPTI

The Veterans team was at the grounds sharp at 0845 hrs for a warm-up and the photoshoot by Meena (Pics below). Soon the C-in-C team arrived and both teams could be seen exercising and practising with full josh. The spectators started trickling in at the viewers’ gallery. The Umpires walked in sharp at 0930 hrs. Both Team Capts were at the pitch for the toss of the Coin. VAdm Swaminathan won the Toss and elected to field. Both the teams jogged in confidently and lined up for introduction to the Chief Guest VAdm R Swaminathan, DGNP(Mb). The members of both teams shook hands with each other with a warm smile, a challenging glint in their eyes and words of ‘Best Wishes’ on their lips. They then walked back to their Pavillion enclosures.

Ran in the C-in-C XI team lead by COS, who along with the Opening Bowler Cdr Irfan Khan, organised the aggressive strategic field placing like a chakravyu to trap the openers early on. Cdr Vijay Vadhera and Cdr Tony Chacko walked in confidently and the later took guard at the striker's end. The 4 bowlers who rotated for 3 overs each were Cdr Irfan Khan, Cdr Parashar, Capt Sumit Bhatnagar and Cdr Goswami, while Cdr Kumawat bowled two overs and Cdr Akshay one. The Batsmen executed a cautious start. After the early fall of Cdr Vadhera’s wicket, Tony Chacko(10) and Neelabh(19) gave some semblance to the slow ticking score card. After their fall, some hard hitting by Cdrs Adhir Patel (25 runs - 2 sixes) and H Subramaniam(27 runs - 1 six) saw the scoreboard smiling on 104 for 3 wkts after the quota of 15 overs. A respectable total to defend.

In jogged the Veterans fielding team lead by Cdr Vadhera after the innings interval, swinging their limbs. Soon the field placing had been complete and in walked the C-in-C XI openers, Cdr Kumawat and Cdr Diwakar. After a slow start in the first over and fall of Cdr Diwakar(4) to Nevil Malao, in walked the smiling VAdm K Swaminathan, who transferred some of his smile to the scoreboard by some hard hitting. After making quick precious 23 COS was bowled by Cdr H Subramaniam. It was then left for Cdr Irfan Khan(11) and the opener Cdr Kumawat (unbeaten 50) to achieve the target of 105 in 11 overs. Cdr Kumawat carried his Bat through to deservedly claim the Best Batsman Award.

Both teams lined up at the tracks for felicitation of the Match officials by the Chief Guest, VAdm R Swaminathan. Cdr Satyanarayan, ExO Kunjali took to stage and thanked the Match officials, Commentators and Photographers. Meena Dutta was cheerfully surprised on being felicitated for running around the field clicking snaps. The Spectators and Guests were then requested to proceed to IMSC for Presentation ceremony and Lunch and a merry ‘meet and greet’ session.

PRESENTATION CEREMONY

VAdm AB Singh, FOCinC West gave away the prizes at the presentation ceremony. The Best Batsman trophy went to Cdr Kumawat with a highest individual total of 50 n.o., The Best Bowler trophy was bagged by Cdr Irfan Khan with most economical bowling giving away only 8 run in the allotted 3 overs. The most spirited fielder award went to Veteran Cdr Nevil malao. The most coveted individual prize of MOM was yet again bagged by Veteran Cdr Hari Subramaniam for the second time. The CinC then awarded the Rolling Trophy to the Capt of the winning team, VAdm K Swaminathan, COS and his buoyant team amidst a huge round of applause.

RESULTS

VETERANS XI- 104 / 3

CinC XI – 110 /2

CinC XI beat Veterans XI by 8 wickets

AWARDS

BEST BATSMAN – CDR V KUMAWAT (CinC Team) – 50 n.o.

BEST BOWLER – CDR IRFAN KHAN (CinC Team) – 3 overs 8 runs

BEST SPIRITED FIELDER – CDR NEVIL MALAO (Veteran XI)

MAN OF THE MATCH – CDR H SUBRAMANIAM (Veteran XI) – 27 n.o. and 3overs 1 wkt

ROLLING TROPHY – CinC XI

The Chief Guest in his address congratulated his team for the joint teamwork in lifting the Rolling Trophy of Cricket. Cdr Vadhera in his closing remarks mentioned about the genesis of this Cricket match and instituting of the Rolling Trophy, to enable the tournament to be held every year preceding the Veterans Day. He also briefed about the pending events in the rundown to the Veterans day, i.e. the Sailing Competition on the next day, unfortunately the Veterans Day Parade on 9^th Jan at Marine drive had to be cancelled due to spike in Covid. The Soman Memorial Lecture shall also be conducted by online VCon.

The meet and greet then continued amidst beer, drinks of choice for ladies and delectable lunch to follow, topped up with delicious Vanilla and Gulab Jamun. A great exciting day for both the teams and spectators alike.

Sam No Varunah!

Jai Hind!

PS- PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY @ MEENA DUTTA