VETERANS Vs CINC XI CRICKET -2024
“By Failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin.
The NFMC fraternity is aware of the ethos of the above quote that has been the diktat of our Foundation. Take for example the preparations of 2024 cricket were already on the cards for 13 Jan 24 , along with Veterans Day Parade on 07 Jan 2024 an year in advance.
The Veterans team formation commenced 3 months 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 23rd, 30th Dec and 6th Jan 2024 for the final clash on Sat 13 Jan 2024 at the Kohli stadium.
At this point in time it would be prudent to bring out the history of this Tournament.
The Genesis of Cricket Tournament between CinC XI and Veterans Xi, dates back to late 2019 when Cdr Vijay Vadhera President NFMC met VAdm RB Pandit, COS WNC to discuss the events in the rundown to our 4th Veterans Day on 14th Jan 2020, the later suggested about holding a cricket match between C-in-C XI and Veterans XI. It was to be followed up with a J-24 sailing race between the two teams. That year the Veterans Won the Cricket Tournament Handsomely, and conceded defeat to WNC Team in Sailing, consciously to make them even out their loss.
04 JAN 2020
VETERANS XI beat CINC XI by 7 wickets
AWARDS
BEST BATSMAN – CDR H SUBRAMANIAM (VETERAN)
BEST BOWLER – CDR NEVIL MALAO (VETERAN)
MAN OF THE MATCH – CDR H SUBRAMANIAM (38 runs & 1 Wk) (VETERAN)
ROLLING TROPHY – VETERANS XI
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No games could be held in 2021 due to Covid, We did have the cricket engagement on 02 Jan 2022, but immediately after that there was another lockdown due to another Varient of Covid more deadlier than the earlier one and the Sailing tournament had to be shelved. After the Covid respite in 2023 the Sailing Cup Race was bagged by Veterans Team lead by our Arjuna Awardee Ace LtCdr Farokh Tarapore, VSM, however we had conceded Cricket Tournament to WNC.
This year on 05 Jan 2024 Veterans Team retained the Sailing Trophy, that they had Won the previous year. We were not Under any Pressure when the Team went into the Cricket clash on Sat 13 Jan 2024.
13 JAN 2024
CinC team also had a few practices of their team at the Kohli stadium prior to the T-15 final match. Admin Orders were issued by CAPO for coordination and conduct of the match, detailing Kunjali for organising the event, under the overall Coordination by CSPTO. 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 13th Jan. There were two separate enclosures for players and enough chairs in the stands for spectators. It was planned to commence the match at 9’ 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 reclinch it after conceding it last 2 yrs.
Veterans XI: Cdr Vijay Vadhera (Capt), Cdr Tony Chacko (V Cap/WK), Cdr P Gopalakrishnan, Cdr Srinivas Rao, Cdr Nevil Malao, Cdr Murli Menon, Cmde BS Arora, Cdr Brijesh Bhatnagar, Cdr Ritesh Menon, Cdr Hitesh Goel, Cdr Dinesh Rai, Cdr Dipankar Goswami, Cdr D Basu, Cdr Rahul Dhawan, Cdr Digvijay Shikarwar.
C-in-C XI : VAdm RR Swaminathan (Capt), Cmde V Iyer, Cmde Berry, Cmde A Kulkarni, Capt Atla Mohan, Capt Raphael, Capt Sumit Bhatnagar, Capt Saxena, Capt Sridhar Sitaraman, Cdr RK Sharma, Cdr Irfan Khan, Cdr Manoj Parashar, Cdr Thirru, Cdr Solanki, Cdr Pushkar, Cdr Chulloo, Cdr Bhupinder.
Commentators : Cdr Raj Dutta, Cdr Bhupinder Singh & Lt Rahul Sharma.
The Veterans team was at the grounds sharp at 0815 hrs for a warm-up and the Pre-match photo shoot 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. VAdm R Swaminathan, the Team Capt of CinC XI, was also the Chief Guest. Both the teams jogged in confidently and lined up for introduction to the Chief Guest, VAdm Swaminathan was introduced to Veterans XI by Cdr Vijay Vadhera the Team Capt. The Chief Guest distributed the Cricket Hats to all the Players.The Umpires walked in sharp at 00845 hrs. Both Team Capts were at the pitch for the toss of the Coin. Mr Nadeem, the Wankhade Curator had prepared the pitch well and there was a Bhoomi Pujan where in both team Capts smashed the coconuts at the base of the popping crease and prasad was offered to all present at the pitch. Cdr Vadhera won the Toss and elected to field.
In ran the Veterans team, led by Cdr Vijay Vadhera to set up an aggressive strategic field placing like a chakra-vyuh to trap the openers early on. strolled in confidently Cdr Irfan Khan and Cdr Thiru, the former took guard to open, while the later took the non-strikers end. The Batsmen executed a flamboyant start, to the Opening bowlers Cdr G Pravin and Cdr Nevil Maloa, and posted 22 runs in first two overs without loss. But Pravin in his second over got the better of Irfan and sent him back to the pavilion LBW at his individual score of 7. The NFMC team was jubilant. Nevil Malao clean bowled Cdr Thiru, when he was 12. But the Jubilation was short lived as some hard hitting by later batsmen Cmde Sumit Bhatnagar and Cmde Iyer saw the score board continuously ticking. They together put on 67 runs on board before returning to pavilion but had handsomely contributed to a challenging total of 130 runs in their allotted 15 overs, setting a target of 131 to win for the Veterans XI.
In jogged the CinC fielding team lead by VAdm R Swaminathan after the innings interval, swinging their limbs. Soon the field placing had been complete and in walked the Veterans openers Cdr Tony Chako and Cdr Murali Menon. The start was cautious and slow. At the fall of openers wickets, Cdr G Praveen (30 n.o.) and Cmde BS Arora (25 n.o.) tried to speed up but eventually landed up at 93/4 in 15 overs losing by 37 runs. The commentators regaled the spectators with their live commentary, even as Master Parth, son of Cdr Bhupinder also exhibited his talent as a budding commentator.
Both teams lined up at the tracks for felicitation of the Match officials by the Chief Guest, VAdm R Swaminathan and Cdr Vijay Vadhera, President NFMC. The Spectators and Guests were then requested to proceed to IMSC for Presentation ceremony and Lunch and a merry ‘meet and greet’ session.
VAdm K Swaminathan gave away the Runners-up mementos to the Veterans team, while Cdr Vadhera was requested to felicitate the CinC XI winners team at the presentation ceremony in IMSC. The Best Batsman trophy went to Cdr G Pravin (30 runs n.o.), The Best Bowler trophy was bagged by Capt Rafel (2 wkts for 11 runs). The most coveted individual prize of Man of the Match was bagged by Capt Sumit Bhatnagar (35 runs and 1 wkt). Cdr Vadhera awarded the Rolling Trophy to the Capt of the winning team, VAdm R Swaminathan, DGNP and his buoyant team amidst a huge round of applause.
RESULTS
CinC XI – 130 / 6 (15 Overs)
Veterans XI – 93/4 (15 Overs)
CinC XI beat Veterans XI 37 runs.
AWARDS
BEST BATSMAN – Cdr G Pravin (Veterans XI)
BEST BOWLER – Capt Rafel (CinC XI)
MAN OF THE MATCH – Capt Sumit Bhatnagar (CinC XI)
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 events of the Veterans day, including the Sailing Competition (5 Jan) that was won by Veterans (2-0) forcing the Veterans to concede a defeat in Cricket, to keep the morale of both at an even keel.
The meet and greet then continued amidst beer, drinks of choice for ladies and delectable lunch to follow, topped up with delicious Faluda Kulfi with brownies . A great exciting day for both the teams and spectators alike.
Sam No Varunah!
Jai Hind!
(Meena's contribution was remarkable in running around the field for some spectacular photography to make superb reels posted below)
VIDEOS
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(DOUBLE CLICK THE LINK BELOW)
VIDEO-1
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuKBYILhkoQ&t=3674s&ab_channel=MeenaDutta
VIDEO-2
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VIDEO-3
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PHOTOS
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