VETERANS XI VS CINC XI CRICKET -2026
A 60 year old, diving to stop a certain boundary at long-on is certain to give some one watching the CinC Vs Veterans match a complex. Another 55-plus running backward to pouch a skier on the boundary is a double dose of the complex. Running between wickets and diving with all might 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 on 24 Jan 2026, where the veterans put up a gallant fight chasing 138/3 in 15 overs. It was a tough fight and despairing for the veterans who knew they were in with a chance till the last few overs. The batting had depth but they winced in scoring strategy.
“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 2026 cricket were already on the cards for 24 Jan 2026 , along with Veterans Day Parade on 11 Jan 2026 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 two practices undertaken in the Kohli stadium grounds.
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
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)
2025
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
===========================
2026 . This magical year had dawned with renewed hopes for Veterans as promising young Veterans Tony, Sumit, Vijay Kumar, Subbu, Srinivas, Manoj Parashar, Pravin, Akshay and the rest assured Cdr Vadhera of reclinching the Trophy after 4 yrs.
Veterans XI and CinC XI had a couple of practice sessions at Kohli stadium prior to the D/N T-15 final match on 24 Jan 2026. 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, 2024 and 2025. 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 1730 hrs 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 4 yrs.
TEAMS :
Veterans XI: Cdr Vijay Vadhera (Capt), Cdr Tony Chacko, Col Vijay Kumar (WK), Cdr VK Balaji, Cdr H Subramaniam, Capt Sumit Bhatnagar, Cdr Manoj Parashar, Cdr Srinivas Rao, Cdr Nevil Malao, Cdr Pravin Gopal Krishnan, Cdr Brijesh Bhatnagar, Cdr Akshay Chuloo, Cdr Dinesh Rai, LtCdr Akash Tomar.
C-in-C XI : Cmde AK Raphael (Capt), Capt ST Rebeira, Cdr Jitendra Deo, Cdr Sumit Srivastava, Cdr Ramakant Singh, Surg Cdr Markose, Cdr Rohan Pawar, Cdr Bunty Kumar Singh. Gaurav Aneja, Cdr Ashish, VAdm K Swaminathan and VAdm RV Gohale.
The teams were at the Kohli stadium at 1630 hrs warming up for what turned into a close gripping contest. The match umpires along with both Captains Cmde Raphael (CinC XI) and Cdr Vijay Vadhera (President NFMC XI) walked to the newly curated Pitch at 1715 hrs for the Toss that was won by Cdr Vadhera calling Heads and chose to field. The Chief Guest, VAdm K Swaminathan, AVSM, VSM, arrived at 1730 hrs and cheerfully shook hands with players and handed them a Black Hat each. After the Official ceremony, Cdr Jatinder in his high pitched baritone yelled thrice, “Howz the Josh” as all players yelled back, “High Sir”.
Capt Raj Dutta, Lt Harshwardhan and Mr Aurangeb (NDMb) 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 Veterans Team to set up an aggressive strategic field placement like a chakra-vyuh to trap the openers early on. Strolled in confidently Cdr JS Deo and Cdr SJ Rebeira, the former took guard to open, while the later took to the non-strikers end. There was jubilation in Veterans camp when Cdr Pravin opened the bowling and sent home Deo on the very first delivery brilliantly caught by Manoj Parashar at Mid-on. Later Rebeira and Pawar tried to stabilise the innings, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals, albeit the batsmen accelerated later on to post 138 for 8 wickets in 15 overs, with the top scorer Ashish remaining not out at 40 with 3 sixes and 3 fours. Pravin picked 3 wickets in the allotted 3 overs giving away 21 runs, while Brijesh got 2 and Sumit & Akshay grabbed 1 each.
Col Vijay and Cdr Balaji opened the Veterans innings, but the start was slow. Only 40 runs could be posted on the board in first 7 over. First to fall was Balaji at 7.2 overs, after scoring 26 runs off 4 fours, brilliantly caught by Rebeira on the bowling of skipper Raphael. Score board read 43 for 1. Srinivas Rao tried to stabilise, but Opener Vijay returned home retired hurt at his individual score of 12. Harihar Subramanium (2) soon followed him caught by Abhishek off the bowling of Markose. Manoj Parasher and Srinivas Rao tried to rebuild but it was too much too late when the asking rate climbed to around 20 per over in the final overs. Srinivas scored 36 runs bowled by Ashish and the score read 108-3 (14.5 overs). Pravin came to face the last ball and scored 2 runs. Manoj Parashar remained unbeaten on 21 off 10 balls with 2 fours and a six. The team scored 110/3 in 15 overs conceding a defeat by 28 runs.
The Veterans batting had tremendous potential but lacked scoring strategy. Never-the-less they vow to reclinch the Trophy next year by working on strategic weaknesses.
RESULTS
CinC XI – 138/8 in 15 Overs
Veterans XI -- 110/3 in 15 Overs
CinC XI beat Veterans XI by 28 runs.
AWARDS
ROLLING TROPHY – CinC XI
Cdr Ashish - Best Batting
Cdr G Pravin - Best Bowling
Capt Sumit Bhatnagar - Best Fielding
The Teams lined up for the Presentation. VAdm RV Gokhale, COS (WNC) gave away the Winners and Runners up awards to the players; mementos to the officials and Commentators- Capt Raj Dutta, Lt Harshwardhan and Mr Aurangeb and Official NFMC Photographer Meena Dutta. Best Batsman Award went to Cdr Ashish for his unbeaten 40 (3 Fours and 3 Sixes), Best Bowler was claimed by Cdr G Pravin (3-0-21-3), Capt Sumit Bhatnagar got the Best Fielding Award, his C&B dismissal of Cdr Rohan Pawar was brilliant.
The Chief Guest in his address congratulated the CinC XI Team for the joint teamwork in lifting the Rolling Trophy of Cricket 5th time in succession.
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.
Sam No Varunah!
Jai Hind!
(PS - Photo/ Videography courtesy Ms Meena Dutta )
PHOTOS
VIDEOS
👇👇👇
(DOUBLE CLICK LINK BELOW ^& FINGER ZOOM)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAwXScDyaZo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo4mBeOReOY
VIDEO-1 (ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS)👆👆
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