MITCL Press Conference

Remember your mother shouting from a half open window two floors above the street, ordering you to stop playing in the torrential rain? Of course, to no avail because you really need that one last boundary (read: one more broken glass, or trashing the fruit seller’s cart) to win the game and take home some serious ‘street cred’. It’s a common sight in the less uptown lanes of any city, in a country that worships cricket. Of course, the more sophisticated gentry instead watch IPL in their 42” TVs, spewing expletives at RCB for not winning it despite a stellar line-up.

Out of such a fervour for the game, the MIT Cricket League (MITCL) was created. The press conference was organized with perfect professionalism, in the Library Auditorium in the evening on Saturday, 8th October – one day before the league commenced.

Among the audience were enthusiasts, players, team mentors, and the dignitaries – Dr. GK Prabhu, Dr. BHV Pai, Dr. Sathish Mallya, Dr. Gurumurthy and Mr. Rahul Kotian.

The event began on an auspicious note with the dignitaries lighting the ceremonial lamp, following which Rishab Dave and Rohit Sarkar were felicitated for being selected to play in the Mangalore Premier League 2016.

Next, the Director addressed the crowd, admitting that merely two teams – MIT A and MIT B – aren’t sufficient to allow playing opportunities for cricket enthusiasts in the college, thus appreciating the idea of a league. He further encouraged the coming up of leagues for sports beyond football and cricket. He congratulated the entire board for having planned the league in such a way that it doesn’t hinder academics. He also underlined the necessity of not just having but also emphasising on an all girls’ team for both cricket and football. He closed his address by urging the students to display sportsmanship spirit on and off the pitch, this making it truly a gentleman’s game.

Dr. BHV Pai addresses the audience.
Dr. BHV Pai addresses the audience.

In his address to the audience, Joint Director Dr. BHV Pai pointed out that gone are the days when sports were merely a hobby or a pastime, and that it is very realistic to make a career out of it. After all, sports is no longer just about the game itself, but also management.

Next, the team captains and their teams were invited on stage. All the captains dressed for the occasion; clad in formal wear, and most of their teammates followed suit. Though one striking observation was that despite the subtle and sober colours of their shirts with matching trousers making for a perfectly chic outfit, most of their feet were clad in neon green, red or yellow sports footwear. Guess you can’t take the athlete out of them, no matter the occasion. The teams are as follows, with their captains:

  • Titans: Mayank Sinha
  • Pirates: Romel Raj Krishna
  • Hurricanes: Aryan Gupta
  • Wizards: Saswat Prusty
  • Samurais: Rishabh Singh
  • Ninjas: Abhishek Gerard Francis

Following which the General Secretary of the MITCL, Ansh Bhutani delivered a vote of thanks and reminded the audience of the motto of the league: No Dream Is Ever Chased Alone.

Pirates captain Romel Raj Krishna receiving the team jersey.
Pirates captain Romel Raj Krishna receiving the team jersey.

 

Next, the audience was acquainted with the rules of the league. It follows the ICC regulations, with a few modifications. The format will be T-20, with a 10 minute break between the innings. It is also mandatory for every team to have 4 players from the first and second years combined in the starting XI; giving the younger ones playing opportunities, and ensuring the long term sustainability of the league. Another interesting rule is that there will be a runs-penalty imposed if a team doesn’t begin their 20th over by the 85th minute.

For an idea that randomly came up in a hostel room (so they claim), MITCL has raked in big sponsors like Domino’s and Café Arte. During the QnA round, the captains and the MITCL Board answered some important questions such as:

What if it rains during a match?
The match will be truncated to 5 overs a side.

Why is a team mentor necessary for any team?
Because at times a person with a higher experience and knowledge than the captain himself is required to guide the team.

Who do the individual captains see as their prime opponents?
The Hurricanes mentioned the Wizards to be their main competitor, who in turn named the Pirates. The other four teams were too diplomatic to name any particular team.

On the question of Ninjas and Hurricanes overspending in the auctions…
“A small amount for potential match winners” – Aryan Gupta.

On the CGPA Eligibility criteria…
All the captains vehemently spoke against the criteria, with one of them citing that such a rule would cause a loss of decent players to the institute. Another captain mentioned that no MIT-ian has made it to the state level cricket yet, and that such a rule much discourage potential players further.

With the QnA round concluded, all eyes were on the first two games of the league. The Titans took on the Hurricanes on Sunday morning and in the afternoon, the Pirates played the Wizards. You can follow all the match results on their Facebook page.

Don’t miss it!

PS: Did we mention that the most bizarre fan in the crowd in every match gets a free dinner sponsored by Café Arte?

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