Cricket 2003


FUN’d raising with Cricket - VIBHA does it again with a thrilling finish!

The alarms went off at 4:30AM in 9 homes in Chattanooga, Tennessee. But Bindu didn’t really need it. He and his team mates had been waiting for an year for this day. He was up, worrying about the pesky little team from Cleveland, Tennessee that was playing the role of giant killer and growing in confidence match to match. He was concerned about the teams from Webb Bridge - the Monsters and the Sixers, and the confident Georgia Tech. Playboys hadn’t escaped his radar either. Enough with the worrying, he assured himself - "if we played like we’re capable, we can beat anyone." All his team mates, Bali, Radha, Ravi, et al. echoed the same thoughts as they made their two and a half hour journey to Atlanta for their 11 AM game.

As all the teams made their plans and headed to the ground, the VIBHA volunteer crew diligently prepared for another grueling day. The weather forecast looked promising except for the heat, so the remaining twelve matches could be completed on time. For Vibha volunteers, led by Srinivas Vemulapalli, it would be the culmination of several weeks of hard work and dedication in putting together such a wonderful tournament - The Maharaja Cricket Cup 2003. As Srinivas said it himself - "It gives me immense satisfaction being the coordinator of this tournament. From this event alone, we raised enough funds to support one project for a full year."

By the end of it all, more than 400 players would have competed, and more than 30 volunteers would have contributed in running a very successful championship. And all the proceeds would go to education projects to help under-privileged children in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and other states in India. These projects not only help in building better facilities for schools in small villages, but also in developing more joyful learning methods, to keep these children in school and to even help slow learners. The projects also help in educating adults through Village Education Committees, about various social and child related issues. They fund not only basic education programs, but skill development courses, including some basic computer training. Basic meals and some health care are also provided to children in some of these projects. Extra emphasis is given to projects which fund education programs for girl children, to ensure there are fewer dropouts and they become self reliant in the future. Vibha is an almost entirely volunteer driven organization filled with extremely conscientious and dedicated individuals that run these fund raising cultural and sports events in several action centers in the USA. Their next event is the 2003 Walk and Run in September. Details of several of these grassroots projects and other events are on their website at www.vibha.org.

Although the top four teams from the early round games got a bye into the quarter finals, some teams needed to win at least 4 more games to win the cup. So it was going to be a test of skill, endurance and desire. One of the early matches of the day between the Webb Bridge Sixers and High Octane displayed all these and more. The Sixers chasing a modest total of 64 - seemingly had it all sewn up, but High Octane fighting tooth and nail, clawed its way back to an even situation, with the Sixers needing four runs off the last four balls, with a wicket left. The Sixers’ last batsman, Sriram came through with a nice cover drive for four and they survived. The Sixers then met the ECS Hawks in the quarters. ECS, inspite of upsetting the defending champions, The Dunwoody All Stars were overwhelmed by the Sixers, who got contributions from everyone on the team to score 76. Sachin threatened to win it by himself scoring 3 sixes in the first over itself, but after his departure, the Hawks collapsed for 69. The Sixers had quietly worked their way up to the Final Four and remained the under dogs. They weren’t even considered the best team from Webb Bridge Parkway - who would be the Monsters.

The Monsters had a bye in the pre-quarters and had to beat Cleveland to advance. Wet behind the ears, they seemed - but on the cricket field, these Tennesseans played like stars. They fielded and bowled like champions. Keyur, who seemed like the big brother to all the young teenagers on his team, led the way with a brilliant catch off his own bowling. Anandh seemed like he was everywhere cutting off singles and taking tough catches, even with the noon time sun in his eyes. The Monsters seemed flat and produced just 48 runs, which Cleveland, with their stylish southpaw, Kamlesh scoring an unbeaten 38, finished easily losing just one wicket.

The exuberance and confidence of youth showed, as the GT team, dominated their opponents in the prequarters and quarters, with Ambrish leading the way to the semifinals, with some powerful knocks and very effective bowling. Unfortunately, Great Acht, didn’t quite have the great eight from the week before and didn’t survive the Killer Khalsas, who in turn lost to the Chattanooga Vols in the quarter finals. The Vols warmed up to their task and got to the semis, by crushing 114 in their 10 overs, peppered with plenty of sixes off the hapless Khalsas, who could only muster 72, in reply.

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