Picture this. A large picturesque oval, crowd frolicking in the sun, a team scoring 100+ in 25 overs, and then successfully defending the score to win. No this is not a match report of the latest Australian cricket team victory over a side, but one of inspiration, confidence, and the catchphrase that was “Chak De India”.
On Friday 12th October, as Indians all over the world celebrated the start of Dussera, and the culmination of the month of Ramzan, a group of students from the University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes played a version of cricket that can be best described as a fun-filled yet intensely competitive encounter. A group of Indians, known as the Indian XI, led by their captain Prasanna Kovalam, took on the Rest Of The World XI (ROTW XI), led by Partha Saha. While the Indian XI, were made up of local and international students from India, the ROTW XI had members from countries such as Lebanon and Malaysia, countries where cricket is at best a passing reference. In addition, keeping with the Australian culture, a Barbeque was organised by UniSA’s Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Social Team (BEEST), and was supported and sponsored by the UniSA Students Association, UniSA Learning Connection and The Rotary Club.
For all the preparations made, there was one critical factor many had overlooked, which threatened to derail the entire proceedings. Around 9AM on the day of the game, there was rain on the pitch for half an hour, and players from both teams, being the engineering students that they were, spent the entire time peering at their computer screens, and predicting the pattern of showers, from the Bureau of Meterology website. As predicted, the rains eased, and by 10AM, the sun was shining again, on what was to be a windy day.
The game was a T25 (Twentyfive25) and the rules were very similar to the T20 and the ODI format of cricket, except that no powerplays existed, and the LBW rule was taken completely out of play, unless a shot wasn't offered. In addition, a ball had to be VERY wide, to be given. With the rules set, the game began on schedule at 12PM, with India XI winning the toss and deciding to bat. The batting display was one of poise, efficiency, and a masterclass in itself. Jagesh and Dharmin, put on a scintillating display, before Dharmin finally fell, caught off the bowling of Nathan Ewers. India XI, did never once look like collapsing, despite some horrendous batting by the captain. It appears that Prasanna’s stance resembled that of an octopus on piles, and the only way he made his three runs was because the ROTW XI was too busy laughing at the pathetic batting effort. Helped by Jagesh’s 28 and Chitresh Mukherjee’s 31, India XI posted a competitive total of 9/105 in 25 overs. The pick of the bowlers in the ROTW team were Dr. Bruce Wedding, Nathan Ewers, and the vice-captain, Vira Thach with 2 wickets a piece.
With the asking rate of over 4 an over, both teams needed to be on their guard, but with the pitch drying up, India XI could scent victory. Anoop Rathod provided the perfect start, by taking 2 wickets within the first two overs. He was ably supported by the other fast bowler Ravi Ganesh, who donned the wicket-keeping gloves after bowling his overs out. These two were ably supported by Roshan Nair and Kinjal Patel. Again Prasanna’s incompetency at playing cricket showed through his bowling, although he did a fine job of captaining the side. He moved his bowlers around, as well as speeding the over-rates and gave India XI motivational support by wearing the India ODI T-Shirt during the game. That being said, his bowling was utterly pathetic and the only sane explanation for his two wickets were that the batting team played their shots in the air, and India XI’s fielders were brilliant in the field. The ROTW batsmen never looked like being in the game and despite starts by Virah (12), Chris (11), Aaron Mohtar (8) and Dr. Bruce Wedding (8), it was only a matter of time before the inevitable occurred.
In the end, the supremacy of the Indian XI, in all aspects of the shone through and India XI won comfortably by 22 runs and lifted up the BEEST cup for the second year in a row, to the sounds of “Rang De Basanti” and “Chak De India” blaring out of the sound system, managed by DJ Ullash Tiwari.
Photos of the event
Hammad Ahmad Khan looking for a run-out chance
Apurva Mishra (India), whacks the ball straight past the umpire's (and the photographer's) heads.
Dr. Bruce Wedding (ROTW) bowling left-arm spin
The shrewd captain of India XI, Prasanna Kovalam, asking if the bowler wants a wicket keeper
