Raj Dutta

VETERANS VS CINC XI CRICKET -2025

A 55-year-old, diving to stop a certain boundary at mid-wicket whilst defending 109 is certain to give one watching the match a complex. Another 55-plus running backward to pouch a skier on the boundary is a double dose of the complex. Quick running between the wickets and diving full length to avoid a certain run-out are the other highlights of the cricket match between Navy Veterans and a younger Western Naval Command (WNC) team.

While at this age it would be best to play cricket with a tennis ball, in the Navy, age is just a number. As was the case yesterday where the veterans put up a decent 109/3 in 15 overs. In reply, the Western Naval Command scored 113 with 8 balls to spare. It was a tough fight and despairing for the veterans who knew they were in with a chance. -- Mr Martin D’Souza in Open Doorz Editorial (06 Jan 2025)

“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 2025 cricket were already on the cards for 5 Jan 2025, along with Veterans Day Parade on 12 Jan 2025 a 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 NCS/ Kohli stadium grounds on 14th, 21st and 28th Dec for the final Day-Night clash on Sun 05 Jan 2025 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 14 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

SCORES : CinC XI -89/4 (12 overs) , Veterans XI -94/4 (10 Overs)

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

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.

02 Jan 2022

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

21 JAN 2023

CinC XI – 219 /5 (20 Overs), Veterans XI – 105/9 (20 Overs)

CinC XI beat Veterans XI 114 runs.

AWARDS

BEST BATSMAN – VADM K SWAMINATHAN

BEST BOWLER – CDR HARI SUBRAMANIUM

MAN OF THE MATCH – CDR IRFAN KHAN

13 JAN 2024

CinC XI – 130 / 6 (15 Overs),Veterans XI – 93/4 (15 Overs)

CinC XI beat Veterans XI by 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)

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2025 . This magical year has dawned with renewed hopes for Veterans as young Veterans Capt Sumit Bhatnagar and Col Vijay Kumar joined our team.

Veterans XI had only 3 practice sessions on 14 , 21 and 28 Dec at NCS grounds. CinC team also had a few practices for their team at the Kohli stadium prior to the D/N T-15 final match on 5 Jan 2025. 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 and clinched and retained by CinC XI in 2022, 2023 and 2024. The Kohli stadium ground was prepared and well decked up. There were two separate enclosures for players and enough chairs in the stands for spectators. It was planned to commence the match at 6’ O clock to finish it in time for Drinks and Dinner 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 3 yrs.

TEAMS :

Veterans XI: Cdr Vijay Vadhera (Capt), Cdr Tony Chacko (Vice Capt), Col Vijay Kumar (WK), Cdr VK Balaji, Cdr H Subramaniam, Capt Sumit Bhatnagar, Cdr Ankit Pandey, Cdr Srinivas Rao, Cdr Nevil Malao, Cdr Murli Menon, , Cdr Brijesh Bhatnagar, Cdr Ajshay Chuloo.

C-in-C XI : Cdr Jitendra Deo, Cdr Thiru, Cdr Gaurav Aneja, LtCdr Abbas Naqvi, LtCdr Raj, Cdr Ramakant, SLt Krishna, Cdr Manoj, Cdr Vignesh, Cdr Tarun

The teams were at the Kohli stadium at 1700 hrs warming up for what turned into a close gripping contest. The Teams were lined up for introduction to the Chief Guest VAdm R Swaminathan, DGNP, who cheerfully shook hands with players and handed them a Black Sea Cap each. After the Official ceremony, Cdr Jatinder in his high pitched baritone yelled thrice, “Howz the Josh” as all players yelled back, “High Sir”.

The match umpires along with both Captains Cdr Jatinder Singh Deo (CinC XI) and Cdr Vijay Vadhera (President NFMC XI) walked to the newly curated Pitch at 1800 hrs. The toss was won by Cdr Vadhera, President NFMC and the Capt, who chose to Bat first. Cdr Raj Dutta commenced the commentary bringing out the genesis of this annual affair as mentioned above, even as spectators trickled in. The Ladies were jubilant as they cheered the Veterans Team.

In ran the Skipper Cdr Jatinder Deo with his young team, to set up an aggressive strategic field placement like a chakra-vyuh to trap the Veteran openers early on. Strolled in confidently Cdr Tony Chako and Col Vijay Kumar, 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 Manoj and Vignesh, and posted 68 runs without any loss at drinks after 8 overs. Cdr Tony Chako (37) returned Retd Hurt in the next over to give a chance to others for the fire works, a strategy that turned deceptive, with Col Vijay Kumar (32), Cdrs VK Balaji (0) and Hari Subramanium (5) returning to Pavillion successively. Thanks to a quick fire 20 n.o. by Capt Sumit Bhatnagar in dying overs. Veterans posted a decent 109/3.

The opponents Cdrs Deo and Thiru started well, but Nevil Malao sent back Thiru (12) in his second over brilliantly caught behind by Col Vijay kumar. Next batsman Cdr Gaurav Aneja (3) couldn’t last long and was bowled by Nevil. LtCdr Abbas Naqvi and Deo began some fire-works, but in the 8^th over Cdr Deo fell lbw to Cdr Akshay Chuloo. At the drinks break after 8 overs CinC XI were 65/3 (at which point in time Veterans were 68 for no loss). Abbas continued his lofty drives and made 39 with 2 sixes and 4 fours before returning to Pavillion (brilliantly c&b by Capt Sumit Bhatnagar), making the task easier for Cdr Manoj and Surg SLt Krishna to surpass the target in the 14^th over. The later scored the winning boundary as CinC XI posted 113 /6.

RESULTS

Veterans XI – 109/3 (15 Overs)

CinC XI – 113 / 6 (14th Over)

CinC XI beat Veterans XI by 4 wkts.

AWARDS

ROLLING TROPHY – CinC XI

The Teams lined up for the Presentation. VAdm R Swainathan gave away the Winners and Runners up awards to the players; mementos to the officials and Commentator- Cdr Raj Dutta and Official NFMC Photographer Meena Dutta.

The Chief Guest in his address congratulated the CinC XI Team for the joint teamwork in lifting the Rolling Trophy of Cricket 4th time in succession. Cdr Vadhera in his closing remarks congratulated the CinC Team in winning the closely contested Match and mentioned about the events of the Veterans day, (including the Sailing Competition next day (6 Jan) that was later won by Veterans (2-0) to keep the morale of Veterans at an even keel.

The meet and greet then continued at IMSC amidst drinks of choice for players and spectators and delectable Dinner to follow, topped up with delicious Ice-creams. A great exciting evening for both the teams and spectators alike.