Lankan flavour in SPG centenary match

On Sunday morning former India skipper Ajit Wadekar was at Shivaji Park. He had an eye on the sky. Shivaji Park Gymkhana (SPG) were playing Parsee Gymkhana and Wadekar was hoping that the rain stays away.

By noon a light drizzle threatened to interrupt play. This was the first round of action at this year’s Kanga League after three rounds have been washed out. “I hope the rain stays away. We need a good start to the season. After all, we are celebrating our centenary year,” Wadekar, president of the SPG, said.

Twenty two Test players in all, including Vijay Manjrekar, Subash Gupte, Ramakant Desai, Bapu Nadkarni, Wadekar and Praveen Amre have represented Shivaji Park. The rivalry between SPG and Dadar  Union is well documented.

“When we played Dadar Union it was like the Battle of the Roses between Yorkshire and Lancashire. Playing for Shivaji Park Gymkhana and Mumbai gave us greater pride than probably even playing for India. Such was the passion we possessed,” Wadekar, who played from 1958 to 1978 for SPG, said.

The gymkhana premises are getting a fresh coat of paint. “I think there is something in the soil at Shivaji Park that makes this place feel special and like home,” Wadekar added.

As part of the centenary celebrations, Wadekar is banking on old and trusted friends. During the early 1970s, Wadekar’s State Bank of India (SBI) team used to tour Sri Lanka. This was before the Island Nation received Test status.

The SBI tours were aimed at helping the Lankans improve their standard of cricket and at the same time it allowed Indian players to adapt to different conditions.

A celebrity match, as a part of the centenary celebrations, will be held at the SPG shortly after Ganesh Chaturthi  on August 23.

“Arjuna Ranatunga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Sanath Jayasuriya are among the Sri Lankan players who have confirmed their participation. Invitations have also being extended to Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli among others,” Wadekar told DNA.

“These Sri Lankan players can’t say no to me. Sri Lanka is like a second home for me. I have a bond with them that stretches back to many years. It’ll be a great game of cricket.”

Also on the agenda is a sound and light show that showcases the history of the gymkhana, including its sports stars. A book — 100 years of SPG — is also being commissioned. Cultural programmes right through the year have also been planned.

“The finances of the SPG are sounder than ever before. Our cash reserves have gone up from Rs 2crore to Rs 6crore. In our centenary year we will strive to improve facilities for members and players,” Wadekar promised.

Poor start for MIG
Defending champions MIG cricket club didn’t get off to the best possible start when New Hind Sports Club gained advantage thanks to a first innings lead at the Veer Major Ramesh Dadkar Maidan in Matunga. MIG were bowled out for 87, while New Hind finished at 88 for 9.

Brief scores: (Div A) Greater Mumbai Police Sports Club 120/8 (decl.) & 0/0 (Rajesh Tandel 46; Ahmed Nizam 3/26) drew with Payyade Sports Club 35/3 & 0/0 (Mahendra Deshmukh 3/15); Apollo CC 87/10 & 0/0 drew with Shivaji Park Youngsters 25/5 & 0/0  (Virendra Kambli 5/8); Parsee Gymkhana 161/10 & 0/0 (Shashank Singh 59; Gaurav Jathar 4/36) drew with Shivaji Park Gymkhana 81/4 & 0/0; Karnataka Sporting 130/3 (decl) & 0/0 (Milind Tamhane 50 n.o, Kaustubh Pawar 55n.o) drew with Young  Maharashtra Cricket 76/6 & 0/0; Worli Sports Club 87/10 & 21/2 drew with Victory Cricket Club 97/5 (decl) & 0/0 (Rajiv Mehra 49) (Victory CC won on 1st innings lead)