Curtains down: VVCL Season 1

 

VVCL TShirt



On 9th June 2012, the final day of VVCL Season 1, three matches amongst equally divided teams exemplified the rationale behind the inception of the league itself besides the lure of each player to perform as a team and put forward a rich galore of Cricketing excellence. The teams, Captained by Vijay & Kunal, which boast par players to perform with the bat & ball, ensured that the ultimate day proved to be a “topping cherry” over the exceptional season.

Vijay and his team consisting of players namely; Guru, Vinay, Nilesh, Kundan, Dilip, Jignesh and Abhishek narrowly won the challenge against Kunal’s team which had Swapnil, Anish, Nandu, Ajay, Pratik & Kalpak. The strokes & the tactics employed by both teams were a cricketing delight and have stamped next level entry of the VVCL team as a whole. Although fielding remains a concern (the dropped catches were abundant alongside the missed fields and weak throws) the improvement was visible in the batting department.

On a batsmen day that was assisted by a flat pitch which had turned hard & solid post first showers, the bowlers had a forgetful outing. Not one bowler could hold his head high throughout the three matches. Add to it the poor fielding, especially the drop chances, further enhanced the bowlers nightmare. On the flipside the batters did ‘The Full Monty’ by accumulating tons & tons of runs, some coming of the huge sixes. The balls kept crossing over boundary time & again, sometimes even thrice an over, equally to the best bowlers and lesser ones, appending the Captain’s woes.

Most of the sixes came with spectacular shots that were sweetly middled but one particular that Dilip whacked to Kunal with his head down and eyes closed, the top edge flown high & long over midwicket spiced up the entire day. Similarly, the one bounce throw by Abhishek from the deep square leg fence, which ran out Swapnil, who until then has ripped off attack and was threathing to chase down a mammoth score of 72 in six overs of the final match, was a fielding spectacle of the day.

Bigger than the match results of entire season; the wins, losses and ties; the thing that was heartening was the contribution of each player (apart from money) which helped VVCL into becoming a ‘Next Big Thing’ collectively in the lives of everyone. The opportunity to enter fields again after a long gap for enjoying this mesmerising game of Cricket that has encapsulated the entire nation on one stage was grabbed by players living in the vicinity of Vasai-Virar and equally by few coming from faraway places like Lower Parel, Lalbaug, Dombivili and even Mazgaon. Although few living nearby have missed the bus.



Virat Nagar Cricket Ground, Virar West



The idea which came out accidently from the tender thoughts of Nandu & Nilesh was uphold by Vijay & Kunal marking the beginning of VVCL on Saturday the 28th January 2012 at Vasant Nagari ground, Vasai East. Nine players gathered on the occasion to kick-start the VVCL engine. Since then three grounds namely Sant Nagar Virar East, Virat Nagar Virar West and Helipad ground Virar West have witnessed the VVCL matches. A resounding number of 50 players (if not more) have become part of the initial season. A Cricket tour than has just eluded in Season 1 would be the highlight of the next season beginning in October 2012.



The season proved to be a reflection on one’s health as it brought forward the physical challenges faced by each one. The ill effect on one’s body due to a corporate seat underneath a freezing air conditioner was reversed to some extent and the importance of healthy body has left a lasting impression on everyone. Come Season 2 and be rest assured that the players would return fitter, slimmer and sharper.

Cricket do provides funny episodes and VVCL did encounter a few of them. Be it Nandu’s running between the wickets or Ameet’s run out or the fall of Santosh & Reuben did allowed for some laughter. Amongst them all was Kalpak’s dive into drainage when Nilesh threw stones across to fetch the dipped ball proved to be the peak of hilarity.

Snacks post match

The curtain down over Season 1 has allowed a reflection over the supporters those have stayed away from field. Vijay’s Mother & Wife for the breakfast on the initial day, Kunal’s wife for the delicious snacks for the couple of playing days, Shreesh whose bat (MRF) was used throughout the entire season and finally to the family members of each player for sacrificing their time, allowing them to take fields on Saturday mornings. Their contribution to the VVCL was quintessential. Thank you all!

Season 1 Players:

O&M

1. Kunal

2. Vijay

3. Nilesh

4. Nandu

5. Mahendra

6. Ajay

7. Kundan

8. Reuben

9. Guru

10. Ankit

11. Rushikesh

12. Harmeet

13. Ameet

14. Dilip

15. Sanjay More

16. Jitendra

17. Santosh

18. Jignesh

19. Anish

20. Pawar

21. Vipul

22. Shravan

O&M Securities

1. Sanjay

2. Santosh

3. Vasant

4. Chavan

5. Mohan

6. Bhosale

Others

1. Amogh

2. Aniket

3. Sagar

4. Amey

5. Nilesh

6. Yash

7. Anil

8. Manish

9. Rahul

10. Pratik

11. Swapnil

12. Abhishek

13. Kalpak Mule’s friend 1

14. Kalpak Mule’s friend 2

15. Amit Vartak

16. Nivit

17. Harish

18. Shravan’s friend 1

19. Shravan’s friend 1

20. Selva (Chris Gayle – remember his one handed catch)

21. Sandeep

22. Hardik

23. Jogger

24. Swapnil (second one)

VVCL Kids

1. Mohan’s son

2. Vijay’s nephew

3. Sashwat – Guru’s son

4. Shubham – Jignesh’s son