Raj Dutta

CRICKET TOURNEY TO INS SHIVAJI

Seldom would one see an Admiral open for his team at 79 and seldom would one witness a 75 yrs young dive full length on his face-down to save a single at mid-on. Such a spectacle did raise the goose-pimples of spectators at INS Shivaji during a Naval Veterans cricket match.

Sometime in Jul 2025, Cdr Vijay Vadhera, President NFMC suggested VAdm J Korde, President NFPC for a cricket match between Veterans of Mumbai and Pune. The later readily consented and a common ground at INS Shivaji was homed on to. FOCinC (South)’s permission was sought and the match was planned in early Oct, but rehashed due to incessant rains there. It was later finalised for 08 Feb 2026 after all the Veterans Day activities in Jan. 30 Luxury VIP rooms were booked by CO Shivaji for the two teams for 7 & 8 Feb. A Karaoke session for both teams was programmed on the eve of the Match. A tour visit of the establishment on 7th evening and trek to Tigers Leap was also planned for 8th morning.

TEAM PUNE PANTHERS

1. V Adm Jaywant Korde (Capt)

2. V Adm SCS Bangara

3. V Adm Deshpande

4. Cdr Vijay Balaji

5. Cdr Utpal Banerjee

6. Capt Rajib Bhattacharjee

7. Cmde Sridar Ramaswamy

8. Cdr SK Joshi

9. Capt Vinayak Gijare

10. Cmde Murari Potnis

11. Cdr Sarang Galande

12. Cmde PK Malhotra

13. Cmde Gopal Wani

14. Capt Jaladhi S Mehta

15. Cdr Chandan Gupta

TEAM NFMC

1) Cdr Vijay Vadhera-Captain

2) Cdr Tony Chacko - Vice Captain

3) Cmde Anand Singh

4) LCdr Akash Tomar

5) Cdr Nevil Malao

6) Cdr Akshay Chuloo

7) Cdr Murli Menon

8) Col Vijay Kumar

9) Cmde Atul Kulkarni

10) Cdr Dinesh Rai

11) LCdr F Tarapore

12) Capt Raj Dutta

13) Capt Nandedkar

14) Cdr AK Sharma

Both teams converged to the lawns of NOI INS Shivaji by 7th noon with their lovely spouses for meet and greet over beer and assorted soft drinks. The bonhomie with loud laughter among Veterans of both the chapters was incredible. Both teams were confident of taking home the Jay-Vijay cup, but pretended incompetence of their teams. Cdr Vadhera nonchallantly mentioned that NFMC had primarily come for Karaoke and interaction, match was secondary. Adm Korde said they managed a bowling machine from Army store, sans any instructions on how to use it. Their teams enthusiasm had been boosted by the presence of 3 VAdms in their side. This was the first time that so many Veterans of the two chapters were interacting at a common ground, sans any service protocol inhibitions. Such moments are priceless. The Buffet Lunch to follow was delectable Biryani, topped up with delicious Kulfi ice-cream.

In the evening at 4 pm, after a short rest, the teams went to the Pitch for a few hours practise and the ladies were taken on a tour to the Naval Museum and NBCD Simulator.

KARAOKE EVENING

At 1930 hrs we all assembled in the NOI Lawns for the musical evening of 15 planned Karaoke songs. Presidents of both Chapters received the Chief Guest Cmde S Partibhan, CO Shivaji and introduced him to Veterans and ladies of the 2 chapters. After everyone assembled Cake cutting was done by Capt Vinayak Gijare and Arpita Gijare as their Birthdays fell on 7th & 8th Feb, all gathered clapped and sang the Birthday song. Our MC Mrs Suma Chacko then drew the attention of the crowd in her sweet voice texture and commenced the proceedings by inviting Cdr Vijay Vadhera to set the Ball rolling with the melodious no ‘Pukarta Chala hoon main’. The other songs to follow were:

2. Solo - RANITA = Aaiye MEHERBAAN

3. Solo - Cmde Sridar Ramaswamy = AYE ZINDAGI GALE LAGA LE

4. Solo- Capt Raj Dutta = TUM BHI CHALO, HAM BHI CHALE

5. Solo- Capt Rajib Bhattacharjee = CHALKAYE JAAM

6. Duet = Capt Raj & Mrs Ranita = YEH RAATEIN YEH MAUSAM

7. Duet - Cmde Sridar & Ranita Bhattacharjee = KEH DOON TUMHE

8. Solo - Capt Ashok Sharma = BEKRAR KARKE HAMAIN YOON NA

9. Duet = Cdr Vadhera & Ranita Bhattacharjee = YAAD KIYA DIL NE

10. Solo - Cdr Vijay Balaji - KOLAVERI SONG

11. Solo - Capt Sanjay Nandedkar = YE CHAND SA ROSHAN

12. Duet - Capt Rajib & Mrs Ranita Bhattacharjee = JUGRAPHIYA

13. Solo- Cdr Murli Menon = HONTHO SE CHU LO TUM

14. Duet - Capt Rajib, Ranita and Cmde Sridar JAANU MERI JAAN

15. Duet- Capt Ashok & Capt Sanjay - BANE CHAHE DUSHMAN

After the Karaoke , Mrs Suma Chacko called Cdr Vadhera to present the memento of the NFMC Golden Sail Boat to the Singers of NFPC, who indeed were incredible performers, particularly Cmde Sridar, Capt Rajib and Mrs Ranita. Cmde PK Malhotra presented a Gift to the Best Singer : Mrs Ranita Bhattacharjee who sang 1 Solo & 5 melodious Duets. He also presented a Cap each to the MC of the evening Mrs Suma Chacko and the Video recorder for all songs, Mrs Gurinder Paul. After this the stage was open to performers. Capt Vinayak Gijare, Cdr SK Joshi, Cdr Utpal Banerjee & Cdr Nevil Malao who sang such beautiful numbers that drew-in others to join their chorus. The Dinner was an Indian spread of Paneer and Tandoori chicken topped with Ice-cream and Gajjrela.

Next morning a trek was planned to Tigers Leap at 0630 hrs. Capt Raj Dutta, Cdr Surinder Paul, Meena, Gurinder, Anahita, Archana Rai and Shubhangi Wani were accompanied by SLts Ajay and Ritwick in the Mini Bus to the Trek Point. The trek was tricky, down the steep Valley about 400 ft down hill onto the large smooth black rocks, from where there was a breadth taking view of the Tigers Leap. Fable has it that a Tiger Leapt from here in thick fog down about a thousand feet into the valley and lost its life. We took a number of snaps during dawn. Trekking up was a bit easier. By the time we reached the top, Sun peeped through the distant hills. We returned back to NOI by 8 AM for breakfast.

THE JAY-VIJAY MATCH

The teams reached the ground opposite the NOI by 0830 hrs after breakfast for the scheduled fixture at 0900 hrs. The pitch was ready, Officials, Scorers and Commentators standing by. The Pune Panthers donned full whites, while the NFMC challengers were in Navy Blue Veterans T Shirts. Both teams after a bit of warm-up, lined up awaiting the arrival of Chief Guest, Cmde S Partibhan. After the customary hand shakes with players of both teams and officials, the Capts along with Umpires and CO Shivaji walked up to the pitch for the Toss. VAdm Korde won the toss and elected to Bat.

The NFMC team lead by Cdr Vadhera entered the ground with full Josh, flexing their arms, amidst a lot of cheer from the crowd. Tony set the field as Col Vijay Kumar went behind stumps. VAdm Suresh Bangara (79) and Cdr Balaji (47), the eldest and youngest openers walked up to the Pitch amidst thunderous applause from spectators. Balaji took guard as Adm Bangara took the non-strikers end. It was going to be a close encounter of two charged up Veterans’ teams. Nevil opened the attack and gave away 7 runs. But Akshay Chullu in next over bowled out Adm Bangara. There after the next Batsman Cdr SK Joshi and Balaji steadied the innings for some time before Balaji was clean bowled by Murli for 18. Cdr Chandan Gupta and Joshi held ground for some time, before Atul bowled out Joshi (20) and in walked VAdm Deshpande. Half way through the game Cdr Vadhera (75 yrs) fielding at mid-on dived to full-length head-down to his left and bruised his nose and right knee but continued to play, setting an example for his team. After 8 overs during drinks break the Score board read 70 for 3. Chandan Gupta (23) was stumped by Col Vijay on the bowling of Cmde Atul Kulkarni. VAdm Korde and Cdr Utpal Banerjee returned home for ducks on Tomar’s fine bowling. VAdm Deshpande (13) and Cdr Galande (4) remained not out at the end of 15 overs even as the score card showed 121/6. The players were ushered in with thunderous applause.

After about 15 mins the Pune Panthers walked in as the spectators cheered them. As the team placement was being set, Openers Tony Chacko and Col Vijay walked in. Tony(8) was superbly caught by VAdm J Korde on the bowling of Cmde Wani. The bowler however gave away 17 runs in his first over. Vijay and Murli accelerated the score, before Murli (13) was stumped by Utpal on the bowling of Balaji. Nevil returned to the Pavilion on a Duck caught on Balaji’s beauty. Atul and Vijay hit some handsome strokes. Col Vijay with 5 sixes and 5 fours hit 67 valuable runs before being clean bowled by Balaji. Atul (26) and Akshay (4) remained not out as NFMC reached the target of 122/4 in 13 overs, winning the coveted Jay-Vijay Cup by 6 wkts.

CO INS Shivaji gave away the trophies and in his address applauded the Veterans zeal and enthusiasm and offered to hold the tournament after a year again. Both Presidents thanked Cmde Partibhan for the warm hospitality for two days, excellent accommodation and conduct of the match professionally for the two chapters.

RESULTS

BEST BATSMAN : Col Vijay Kumar (67 runs)

BEST BOWLER : Cdr Vijay Balaji (3 wkts)

MAN OF THE MATCH : Cmde Atul Kularni (26 runs, 2 wkts)

WINNERS CUP : TEAM NFMC

SCORES : NFPC : 121/6 (15 overs),

NFMC : 122/4 (13 overs)

After the presentations both teams assembled against the wonderful Cricket backdrop, designed and erected by Team Shivaji, to carry memorable moments home. The teams then proceeded to NOI for Beer and chatter. The delectable Lunch was a chinese spread of Veg Fried Rice, Veg Manchurian and Chicken Manchurian topped up with assorted ice-cream. The teams joyfully departed after warm hugs.

Two memorable days had been regaled by the two neighbouring Navy Foundation Chapters in great cheerful bonhomie…May the bond between the two chapters grow stronger and stronger.

Sam No Varunah

Jai Hind

(PS - Photo/ Videography below by Ms Meena Dutta.)

PHOTOS