Just rewards for four Mumbai cricket outfits

Updated on: 24 January,2009 08:06 AM IST |
Amol Karhadkar |

THE atmosphere at the Banquet Hall of the newly-opened Club House at Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra Kurla Complex facility last evening resembled that of a college Gymkhana Day.

THE atmosphere at the Banquet Hall of the newly-opened Club House at Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra Kurla Complex facility last evening resembled that of a college Gymkhana Day.
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It was a time to celebrate the achievement of various teams that brought glory to Mumbai cricket. Four teams men's senior, under-19 boys, and the boys' and girls' University teams won the national championships in their respective groups to prove Mumbai cricket still dominates domestic cricket.

Though the star attraction, Sachin Tendulkar, could not be present due to his "prior commitments in Goa," according to MCA treasurer Professor Ratnakar Shetty, pace spearhead Zaheer Khan made up for the master's absence in an hour-long ceremony that was attended by the who's who of Mumbai cricket.

And apart from Peter Chingoka, head of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, there was one more surprise guest
cricketer-turned-actor Salil Ankola, who seemed to be enjoying every bit of his old mates' company.
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Where's Kuruvilla?

Though selectors Padmakar Shivakar and Co were not in the limelight, the only absent colleague of his Abey Kuruvilla remained in the news. While complimenting the job of the selectors in his speech, former India skipper and MCA vice-president Dilip Vengsarkar named the three selectors present.

Then paused, and asked: "Who is the fourth boy?" When someone on the dais prompted him with Kuruvilla's name, Vengsarkar responded: "I have never seen him around in the last six months."