For Nagpur’s Dubey, it’s time to learn some ‘English Lessons’

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, May 30

HIS heroics for Vidarbha in domestic circuit and a small but impressive show in IPL fetched him a place in India A squad for England Tour and 22-year-old Harsh Dubey is ready for some ‘English Lessons.’

Left-arm spinner Dubey has bamboozled batters all over the country breaking the record for most wickets (69) in a Ranji Trophy season earlier this year.

A call by Sunrisers Hyderabad as a replacement bowler helped him show his ability in white ball cricket too as he took five wickets from three games which included the scalps of Lucknow Super Giants’ Mitchell Marsh, RCB and India Test legend Virat Kohli, KKR’s Rinku Singh, Andre Russell and Ramandeep Singh.

Dubey proclaimed his arrival in the IPL!

Job Done. Selectors Impressed. Ticket to England.

India A would be playing two First-Class matches against England A Lions starting Friday at Canterbury. Dubey, in his own words, “Will take this opportunity to learn the nuances of ‘international’ red ball cricket.”

Talking to ‘The Hitavada’ over phone from Kent, the spinner said he would try to give his best whenever he steps into the field. “It’s a great opportunity. The wicket would definitely help pacers, as always. But whenever I get a chance, when the sun is beating down and pacers won’t be getting that much help from the pitch, the spinners’ role will come into play. I would try to give my best and keep it simple.”

On Dukes balls with which cricket is played in England, Dubey said, “I didn’t find much difference between SG and Dukes balls. The Dukes balls are a bit harder and a bit slippery initially. There is hardly any difference.”

On how he will take the two matches, if he gets a chance, Dubey said he would try to keep it simple and won’t make any wholesome changes.

“I had a chat with SRH coach Daniel Vettori and India great Kohli on how to go with plans in England and they both said to keep it simple and stick to the plan. I would be doing the same,” said Dubey.

The Vidarbha spinner was praised by Vettori and India spin great Anil Kumble calling him a ‘clever’ bowler.

“Dubey understands conditions well, understands how he needs to bowl, and can mix it up. I suppose we were desperate for that little bit of control, and he’s been able to do that in all three games he’s played. 

“The great thing for him is that between now and the next IPL, he’s going to play a lot of cricket, whether it’s for India A or his domestic team. He’s going to get a huge amount of opportunities, so we believe he can grow as a bowler and also as a batter, because the batting part of him was a big part of our decision-making too,” Vettori had said during a press conference after their last IPL league match.

Kumble too lavished praise on Dubey after the spinner’s three wickets against KKR.

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s ‘Time Out show’ Kumble said, “He’s (Dubey) giving it a tweak, that’s the start. And when you do that, you certainly get a bit of drift. And, more importantly, it goes off the surface that much quicker. And that’s something that we see in Harsh Dubey.”

Kumble said it would be interesting to see how consistent Dubey will be in his coming days.

“Consistency is what matters. And that’s something he has shown in domestic cricket by getting wickets. And this is a great opportunity to be part of the India A squad,” Kumble said on Dubey’s possible future as a Test cricketer.

Dubey has passed the ‘Board’ (domestic) exam with flying colours. Now, it’s time to learn ‘English lessons’ and ‘graduate’ (for Tests) in Old Blighty.

SC dismisses VHA’s challenge to revocation of HI membership

Sports Reporter

May 27, 2025

IN A major setback to Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA), the Supreme Court, on Monday, refused to entertain the association’s plea seeking Hockey India’s Associate Membership recognition.

A vacation bench of Justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Datta, after hearing brief arguments from the petitioner, declined VHA’s plea for Associate Membership.

Last year, the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court had taken a decision to revoke VHA’s membership with HI in accordance with the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) One-State-One-Unit policy.

Justices Nitin Sambre and Abhay Mantri delivered the verdict while ruling on the writ petition filed by the VHA concerning its membership with HI. VHA’s membership was deemed withdrawn effective July 1, 2020.

“Hockey is an Olympic sport and there can be only one association from a state under the existing regulations,” the Supreme Court said on Monday.

The Apex Court allowed the withdrawal of the Vidarbha Hockey Association’s plea for its recognition as an Associate Member of Hockey India and the Indian Olympic Association, saying no case is made out for interference with the Bombay High Court order. “After arguing for some time, the learned counsel for the petitioners seeks and is permitted to withdraw the Special Leave Petition,” the bench said in its order.

The Bombay High Court on June 26, 2024, upheld Hockey India’s decision revoking the Vidarbha Hockey Association membership. The association said that it was in fact an Associate Member till 2013, but was removed arbitrarily.

The counsel appearing for the association said that in cricket and kabaddi, there 

are a number of associate members. 

To this, the bench said, “Hockey is an Olympic sport and under the existing regulations of the Indian Olympic Association, there can be only one association from one state.”

Justice Datta pointed out that the counsel was referring to cricket and kabaddi which are not Olympic sports and said that even the Mumbai Hockey Association was derecognised because there can only be one association from one state. The bench also questioned the Vidarbha Hockey Association for filing a writ petition and asked why it could not move the High Court raising its concern. 

Upon failing to get a satisfactory response, the top court decided to dismiss the petition but the counsel sought permission to withdraw the plea which was allowed.

 ---------------

The SC asked us to give all information regarding the Rule Number 31.1.3 of Indian Olympics to Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court, hence we withdrew the case. We will be filing a review petition in Nagpur High Court.

— Krishna Joshi, VHA Co-ordinator 

Losing close matches proved costly: RR’s Shubham Dubey

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, May 27, 2025

THEY might have ended at the ninth spot this Indian Premier League season but Rajasthan Royals’ batter Nagpur’s Shubham Dubey feels overall the team played well in the tournament.

Hard-hitting batter Dubey was not happy with the end result but said the team management is proud of their overall performance.

Back in Nagpur after completion of Rajasthan Royals’ league matches, Dubey stated that his side scored 200 plus runs on several occasions but “somehow finished on the wrong side of the result.

“We really played well and scored runs in heaps. We scored 200 plus runs in several matches (5 matches) but could not end on the winning side.

Out of the five times Rajasthan Royals scored 200 plus runs they registered wins on just two occasions.

“We have a great batting line-up. Yashasvi Jaiswal and 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi both batted brilliantly but somehow we lacked finishing. That’s part and parcel of the game,” said Dubey while talking with ‘The Hitavada’.

On his personal performance, Dubey was a content man and said that batting position (7th or 8th) he bats it is very difficult to score big.

“I am happy with my performance. As I said, the entire team played well. The position I come to bat in, is a very crucial phase of innings. Still I tried my best in all matches,” said the left-handed batter who played nine matches, maximum this season.

“This year I got a lot of matches to play. The pressure was tremendous while playing in front of a packed house and against quality players. Coach (Rahul) Dravid sir also stated that my batting position is very crucial and I have done all that I could. He counselled me and kept me in a positive frame of mind,” said Dubey who scored 106 runs with a strike rate of 160.60. His highest score was unbeaten 34 and remained not out on four occasions hitting a total of six boundaries and eight sixes.

Dubey said had he hit those winning runs against Kolkata Knight Riders which they lost by one run, the story would have been different. We scored 20 runs in that over but I missed a shot and the result went KKR’s way.

Dubey visited Royal Cricket Association’s summer camp at Mecosabag ground and guided the budding players.

Officials of RCA including Irfan Rajjak, Rohit Kaishalwar, Kunal Bhumralkar and coach Alok Tiwari felicitated the RR batter.

Dubey says getting Kohli’s wicket a dream come true

By Paritosh Pramanik

Nagpur May 25, 2025

BOWLERS world over crave for his wicket. They plot plans to get their name against Virat Kohli’s wicket.

On Friday night, Vidarbha’s premier left-arm spin bowler Harsh Dubey, playing as a replacement in Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for R Smaran, fulfilled his long-cherished dream when he picked the wicket of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s ‘King’ Kohli during their Indian Premier League match in Lucknow.

Dubey, who was playing only his second IPL match, was handed the ball by captain Pat Cummins in the seventh over and the left-arm tweaker delivered immediately, getting the ‘big fish’ Kohli on the last ball of his first over.

Dubey bowled a dot ball to Kohli and then the world’s best batter took a single. Pill Salt hit the Vidarbha spinner for a six after playing a dot and then again took another single to bring Kohli on strike.  Dubey took a pause and bowled the delivery which had some extra bounce. Kohli tried to clear the point region with a cut shot but sliced it straight to the point fielder Abhishek Sharma for a dolly catch. Dubey was ecstatic and celebrated pumping his fist.

It was a big wicket which broke the well-set opening wicket partnership at 80 runs.

“I am very grateful to have played against Virat Kohli. I have watched him since my childhood, so getting his wicket is truly a dream come true,” Dubey wrote, with a picture talking with Kohli, on his social media 

handle. 

Playing his first game against Lucknow Super Giants a few days ago, the left-arm spinner from Nagpur had taken the wicket of Lucknow Super Giants’ in-form batter Mitchell Marsh in his fourth over.

Dubey makes impressive IPL debut for SRH

May 19, 2025

By Paritosh Pramanik

VIDARBHA spinner Harsh Dubey made a sort of impressive IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad, despite going for 44 runs from four overs, on Monday.

Playing his first game against Lucknow Super Giants, the left-arm spinner from Nagpur managed to take the wicket of in-form Mitchell Marsh in his fourth over.

Dubey was happy with his maiden performance and said it (dropping catches) is part and parcel of the game. “Sometimes you drop it and sometimes it becomes a stunning catch,” said Dubey to the host broadcaster during innings break.

“I was not thinking of taking wickets. I was more concerned of how I bowl my four overs.”

When asked what he would be preferred to call as he has scored 476 runs in Ranji Trophy and taking 69 wickets, Dubey said with a smile, “It depends what we are doing first after winning the toss. But I would prefer to be called as a batting all-rounder.”

SRH decided to bowl first and captain Pat Cummins handed the ball for second over to Dubey, who was included in the side as a replacement player for injured left-hander Smaran Ravichandran.

Dubey immediately made an impact and would have taken wicket on his maiden IPL delivery. He tossed the ball up well outside the off and Marsh, in an attempt to slap the ball got the bottom edge of his bat. But SRH wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan could not hold on to the low sharp chance which banged into his thigh. LSG were 11 for no loss then.

Bowling his second over, Dubey, who has been picked in India A squad for England Tour, once again had chance off his first delivery but Kishan muffed the stumping chance. LSG 28-0.

Aiden Markram tried to flick the ball towards leg side but missed the line as he stepped out of his crease and lost his footing. Kishan, however, failed to collect the ball clearly as the batter easily returned back to his crease.

The moment finally came in the 11th over when Dubey, the highest Ranji Trophy wicket-taker with a record 69 scalps, broke the opening wicket stand of 115 runs with the wicket of Marsh on third ball of his final over.

Dubey once again tossed the delivery up and Marsh tried to slice the ball towards thirdman but an agile Eshan Malinga timed his dived well to grab a diving catch.

Dubey celebrated his maiden IPL scalp with his arms stretched as he ran towards Malinga, followed by his other team-mates.

On his maiden wicket, Dubey said, “I bowled a bit slow and it stuck to the wicket as well. I was trying to bowl a bit away from the start and finally managed to execute it well.”

Dubey said he wanted to play on his strength (of turning the ball as much as he can). “But yes, I could have bowled a better line today... have conceded a few boundaries. I will try to improve and rectify my mistakes.”

Dubey was impressive and had he got those two wickets on first two balls of his two overs, LSG’s score would have been far less than 205.

NDUHA challenges its ‘own’ body!

May 19, 2025

Special Correspondent

Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA), for decades, remained entwined in legal battles until it was disbanded by Hockey India in July 2020. (It is still fighting a legal battle for its existence).

Now, it is the turn of Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association (NDUHA) to invite controversy and create confusion among hockey players and teams alike. The body, which got registered with the Deputy Charity Commissioner Office, Nagpur in 2013, failed to hold any election since its inception and then in 2022 decided to 

hand over the reins to ‘young generation’.

But suddenly, the ‘original’ members, who are registered trustees in the Schedule 1 with the Deputy Charity Commissioner Office, Nagpur, woke up and alleged that their own current ‘ruling body’—The Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association, which they themselves authorised, is illegal.

Till date, Vinod Trivedi is the President and Salim Baig is the Secretary of NDUHA, as per an RTI information sought by Gurpreet Singh, an avid hockey lover, from the Deputy Charity Commissioner Office, Nagpur.

In 2022, NDUHA decided to ‘hand over’ the reins of the association to the younger generation and Pramod Thakre was ‘appointed’ as the President and Parvez Qureshi as the Secretary. The other 15 members were also appointed. The entire body was declared during a press conference held at a Restaurant near Chhatrapati square on October 7, 2022.

In the same ‘new’ body Pramod Jain, was appointed the joint secretary. In the original body which is registered with Deputy Charity Commissioner, Jain is one of the joint secretaries.

With ‘The’ Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association (TNDHUA) Secretary Parvez Qureshi failing in his duties and working in allegedly dictatorial manner, Jain parted ways and decided to challenge the legality of his own association — TNDUHA. ‘The Hitavada’ had published that President Thakre too wanted to dissolve TNDUHA due to high-handedness of Secretary Qureshi.

After few days, the Thakre-led body held a meeting and it was decided to work for development of the game and organise tournaments. But till date not a single tournament has been organised by TNDUHA.

On May 13, 2025, a meeting of NDUHA, headed by Vinod Trivedi, was held at Tiger’s Gap ground where it was decided to take charge of the association.

The NDUHA members also alleged that TNDUHA which is affiliated with Hockey Maharashtra, is illegal.

“The registered body is Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association and not ‘The’ Nagpur District Unified Hockey Association,” claimed Jain through a press release. Article ‘The’ is the bone of contention, as per Jain.

NDUHA members also alleged that Hockey Maharashtra has given affiliation to the wrong Nagpur district body without verifying the registered documents.

With Salim Baig indisposed, eight members, who attended the meeting, decided that Jain would discharge the duties of secretary, stated a press release, signed by Jain himself. Copy of minutes of the meeting is in possession with ‘The Hitavada’.

The attempt to ‘take over’ the association, created by themselves, will further invite legal battles as NDUHA itself has not conducted a single election. As per its constitution the term of an executive body is of four years. 

As per Jain, four members of the 17-member body, have passed away.

Jain claimed that NDUHA could not conduct tournaments as Hockey India had given associate membership to VHA in 2014. But in one year, from 2013 to 2014, hardly any hockey activity was organised by NDUHA.

Now, even if they want to regroup and restart hockey activities afresh, it would be interesting to see how much the members devote themselves for the promotion of the game which is dwindling at a neck-breaking speed in Nagpur.

Inching closer to fulfilling my ultimate dream of playing for India: Harsh

 

Vidarbha spinner Harsh Dubey, batter Karun Nair in India ‘A’ squad for England Tour

By Paritosh Pramanik

Two surprises in a span of 11 days! Vidarbha spinner Harsh Dubey wouldn’t have asked for more.

On May 5, Dubey was picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad as a replacement player in the IPL and on Friday, May 16, he got an India A call-up for the England tour!

The BCCI announced the squad for the upcoming tour of England, where the team will play two First-Class matches against the England Lions at Canterbury (May 30) and Northampton (June 6). The tour will conclude with a match against Team India (June 13).

The team also included another Vidarbha professional Karun Nair who made a rollicking comeback this Ranji season with 863 runs from nine games at an impressive average of 53.93.

Nair, who last played in India whites against England in 2017, was tipped for a comeback after his heroics for Vidarbha. He was instrumental in helping Vidarbha lift their third Ranji title in March earlier this year.

The last few months has been favourable for left-arm spinner Dubey and in his own words he is “inching closer to fulfilling his ultimate dream of playing for India.”

After a superb Ranji Trophy season with title winning squad Vidarbha, everybody was expecting an India call for Dubey. The man of the tournament for his 476 runs and 69 wickets, Dubey attracted selectors’ attention and was praised by many critics of the game.

Not only in Ranji Trophy, but also in the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Dubey’s performance was praiseworthy.

Dubey, who landed in Lucknow for SRH’s IPL match against Lucknow Super Giants, when he got the selection news, said that he is concentrating on the game at hand against LSG.

“I had got a hint of getting selected for the England tour. But at present I am concentrating on the upcoming match against LSG. That is my first priority. Yes, it is great news for me and for the entire Vidarbha and this opportunity will help me gain experience,” Dubey told ‘The Hitavada’ from Lucknow.

“My ultimate dream is to play for the senior Indian team and  I am inching closer to fulfilling that dream,” said Dubey.

TEARS OF JOY IN 

PARENTS’ EYES

Harsh Dubey’s parents Surendra and Jyoti had tears of joy in their eyes when they got the news of their son getting India ‘A’ berth for England tour.

Harsh’s father Surendra said that patience pays and the Vidarbha spinner has proved.

“We were eagerly waiting for this day. Harsh has been waiting patiently. He never got dejected despite his fine performance in the last couple of years. He used to say ‘there might be something which I am not doing to achieve my dream.’ But he kept calm and tried to iron out flaws in his performance,” Surendra told ‘The Hitavada; with a choked voice.

“He is a mature kid. He always says that ‘if I am capable I would be selected. Selection is not in his hands and he only wanted to better his performance,” added Surendra.

Harsh’s mother Jyoti, too, was over the moon. “Bahut khushi ho rahi hai. Do-do khush khabar kuch hi dino mey....(I am very happy. Two good news in a short span...),” she said. I can’t hold my tears back, it is such big news. Harsh has worked really hard for this day and today his hard work has paid,” she said.adding “have to go to a sweet shop to buy sweets for well-wishers.”

Vidarbha sportspersons salute, thank Indian Armed Forces

By Paritosh Pramanik

Vidarbha sportspersons, led by cricketers, took to social media to show their solidarity with the Indian Armed Forces for their strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan.

The sportspersons showered their love and gratitude after the Indian forces successfully repulsed attempted missile strikes and drone attacks from Pakistan across the border.

Leading the pack while praising the Indian Armed Forces was India T20 and Vidarbha wicketkeeper was Jitesh Sharma. “Saluting our armed forces. India stands tall and strong during these tough times. Jai Hind!

“#IndiaFightsPropaganda Operation Sindoor. Zero Tolerance for Terror. #JusticeServed,” Sharma posted on his Instagram handle.

Several Ranji cricketers including this season’s highest wicket taker in the domestic red ball Harsh Dubey, Aditya Sarvate who moved to Kerala, opener Atharva Taide, former Vidarbha Ranji Trophy two-time winning captain Faiz Fazal, left-handed batter Yash Rathod, pacer Darshan Nalkande, former seamer Shrikant Wagh, former Vidarbha stumper Anirudha Chore, just retired spinner Akshay Wakhare, fast bowler Yash Thakur, Amit Paunikar, junior cricketer Neel Athaley all shared one common Thank you message with three fighter jets and Indian tricolour in background.

Thank you Indian Armed Forces for saving 14 Indian cities last night when the entire nation was fast asleep. You are the reason we breathe freely. Thank you. Jai Hind” read the common message from the cricketers.

The same message and photo was shared by city’s football goalkeeper Deepesh Burrewar who played in the Santosh Trophy last season.

Cricketer Mohit Kale, who shifted to Pondicherry this season, showed his solidarity with the Armed Forces with a message, “Appreciate what’s been done for us rather than the dumb question of ‘why war? This is why,” he continued. “Last night, Pakistan launched missile and drone attacks on multiple Indian cities, including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Bhatinda, Chandigarh and Bhuj. Imagine an attack on this scale, yet our common citizens didn’t even realise it happened. Why? Because unlike Pakistan, we have a functional defence system that shot down everything they launched. And today, we retaliated, with precision. They couldn’t intercept a thing. We don’t appreciate and thank our Armed Forces’ capabilities enough!” his lengthy message stated.

Another Vidarbha cricketer Nachiket Parande posted a camouflaged picture of a soldier with a message “A soldier fights for India. You? Just be the Indian worth fighting for.”

Former Vidarbha fast bowler Rajneesh Gurbani, who shifted to Maharashtra, shared a post of Dr A Velumani which read, “All those in Army have left their home with tears of Self, parents or wife or child. Lakhs on duty protecting our 150 crore Indians. Be grateful to them. #Jai Hind. #Jai Jawan.”

Shrikant Wagh, former pacer shared a photo posted by Rajasthan Royals with three Indian soldiers saluting Indian tricolour with the sun setting in the background. The message read, “India First. Always.” His another post read, “Jai Hind. This isn’t revenge. It’s a reminder never count India out!”

Wicketkeeper-batter Siddhesh Wath posted the insignia of Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Army with a message “Grateful (Sadaaiv Wruni, in Hindi) with an emoji of folded hands and a heart.

Another Ranji cricketer Atharva Taide posted an AI generated photo of tanks and soldiers with the message, “In the face of adversity, our heroes never blink. To every soldier, sailor, and air warrior - we owe our freedom and our future. Jai Hind! #OperationSindoor #IndiaFightsPropaganda.”

Assistant bowling coach of IPL franchise Punjab Kings and former Vidarbha coach Trevor Gonsalves share a picture of India soldiers walking with tricolour with the message: India First! Always & Forever!

Former Vidarbha and India woman cricketer Mona Meshram posted Stay Strong, Stay United, India! We are more than a nation. We are a force. A force of unity. A force that never backs down. Now is the time to roar louder, stand prouder, and hold each other stronger. We are India. Unbreakable. Unstoppable. Jai Hind!,” wrote Mona Meshram with a collage of photos of Indian soldiers and tricolour in the background.

India yogasana player Dhanashree Lekurwale, who recently won a gold medal in Asian meet, posted a combined picture of Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomica Singh with a message “They left our women to go and tell the story of what happened that day, so we sent our women to tell them what we did to them.”

Inaugural edition of VPTL won’t start by May end

By Paritosh Pramanik

THE inaugural edition of Vidarbha Cricket Association’s Vidarbha Pro T20 league (VPTL) won’t kick off by the end of the month, as it was scheduled.

VCA had decided to start the maiden edition of the franchise-based T20 League immediately after the Indian Premier League, the final of which was supposed to be played on May 25.

But with IPL suspended indefinitely due to the escalating military confrontation between India and Pakistan,  a cloud of uncertainty has loomed over the start of VPTL. There was a very small window of not more than 15 days for VPTL with monsoon arriving by the first week of June in Nagpur. 

VCA was planning to start the league somewhere around the last week of May. But 

their plans have gone haywire with the postponement of

the IPL.

Several Vidarbha cricketers are part of the IPL. They will also be the ‘icon’ players of VPTL and the association would love to see all of them play the inaugural edition of T20 league, which will be played at VCA Jamtha Stadium.

The association was planning to announce the names of the six franchises for the men’s league in a couple of days but had no other option but to hold it back.

“We are monitoring the situation. We did not announce the dates but yes it won’t start in the last week of May, that’s for sure,” VPTL Chairman Prashant Vaidya told ‘The Hitavada’ on Friday.

“We will have to look at the options IPL has in finishing the remaining matches in the coming days. But at the moment we can’t announce anything looking at the gravity of the situation the country is dealing with,” Vaidya reasoned when asked about the names of six franchises and other preparations.

“We were planning to announce the names of six franchises in the coming days but have to hold everything back. Once IPL finishes or any directives regarding the league are issued, only then we will take any further decisions,” stated former India pacer Vaidya.

Teams for the inaugural edition of VPTL were selected by the organising committee. 

The winner of the maiden edition will be richer by Rs 35 lakh while the runners-up will get Rs 25 lakh, it was announced last month.

Arivaa Sports Private Limited will be managing the event.

Dubey terms his SRH call as a ‘PLEASANT SURPRISE’

By Paritosh Pramaink

HE WAS not expecting the call but was preparing for the Vidarbha Pro T20 League (VPTL) and the next domestic red-ball season ahead.

But Vidarbha’s spin all-rounder Harsh Dubey, who had hit a fluent 33-ball 60 in the Vijay Hazare final earlier this year, got a ‘pleasant surprise when Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) called him for a trial and later picked him as the replacement player for injured left-hander Smaran Ravichandran for the remainder of the Indian Premier League season.

Ranji Trophy winner Dubey, who is the highest wicket-taker with 69 scalps this season, had attended pre-season trials of many franchises but was unlucky not to be picked by any during the last year’s mega auction.

Not the one to sulk over results and decisions, left-arm spinner Dubey, who was declared as the man of the tournament (Ranji) for his 476 runs and 69 wickets, was preparing for the VPTL when he got the call from SRH management to join the team.

“It a pleasant surprise. A bit shocking too,” Dubey told ‘The Hitavada’ with a chuckle while talking from Hyderabad where he joined the franchise on Saturday. “I never look too far. I want to stay in the present. After the snub in pre-season trials, I concentrated on the red-ball season and enjoyed the Ranji title victory. Frankly speaking, I was preparing for the Vidarbha League (VPTL) which is round the corner, when I got the call to attend the trials a few days ago,” said the 22-year-old cricketer.

Dubey, who wanted to be called as a batting-all-rounder, said it is a great opportunity for him to join SRH side which has some big names and a few with whom he had played in domestic cricket.

“It gives me a great opportunity to learn from the stalwarts the team has. I have played with and against Nitish Kumar Reddy, Sachin Baby...so it will be great to have company of some good players. I will definitely learn during this three-week stay with the team led by Pat Cummins,” said Dubey who has joined SRH for Rs 30 lakh.

Dubey said he was picked from three other players who were called for trials. “There were players from MP, Delhi and other states who were also called for the trials. As they (SRH) needed a spin all-rounder, I think, I got the preference,” Dubey signed off.

Mumbai arrive for State c’ship

 

By Paritosh Pramanik

Last year’s runners-up Mumbai district football team has arrived in the city for the Western India Football Association’s Maharashtra State Inter-District Football Championship for Senior Men which will be held from April 25.

The eight-team competition will be hosted by Nagpur District Football Association.

Nagpur are the defending champions. They had piped Mumbai by a solitary goal scored by Fahad Junaid.

The other six teams, including, Kolhapur, Amravati, Chandrapur, Pune, Raigad and Aurangabad, will be reaching the city by Thursday evening. All the teams have been put at Krida Prabodhini Hostel in Divisional Sports Complex, Mankapur.

Top eight teams are divided into two groups of four each for this league-cum-knock-out tournament.

‘The Hitavada’ had published the eigth participating teams in its ‘CityLine’ issue dated 

April 16.

Winners from the zonal meets of the inter-district competition and last year’s State championship’s four semi-finalists have formed the eight teams for the meet. Last year’s semi-finalists were Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai and Kolhapur. 

According to WIFA, Group A consists of defending champions Nagpur, Kolhapur, Amravati and Chandrapur while Group B comprises Mumbai, Raigad, Pune and Aurangabad.

With the temperature hoverning over 43 degree Celcisus. the organisers have decided to hold matches in morning and evening sessions.

The league matches will be played on two grounds — South East Central Railways ground in Motibagh and NDFA’s Dr Ambedkar Football Stadium in Suyog Nagar.

Daily, two morning matches will be played at SECR Stadium while the evening matches will be played at Dr Ambedkar Stadium under the lights.

The semi-finals will be played on Monday while the third place match and the final will be played on April 29, Tuesday.

----------------

Nagpur district team named

Nagpur District Football Association has announced its team for the WIFA Maharashtra State Inter-District Football Championship for Senior Men which will be held in the city from Friday.

The team: Mohd Faizal, Deepesh Burrewar, Azam Khan, Aditya Chandne, Rishabh Kanojiya, Stanley Peter, Gaurav Saire, Geet Harinkhede, Yash Shukla, Rananjoy Banik, Aryan Banerjee, Abdullah Ansari, Md Rehan, Shadab Ansari, Md Owais Ashraf, Md Huzaif, Sahil Meshram, Md Mustajab Ashraf, Md Rizwan, Md Sohail, Ghulam Imran, Kamran Ansar.

GROUP A

NAGPUR

KOLHAPUR

AMRAVATI

CHANDRAPUR

GROUP B

MUMBAI

RAIGAD

PUNE

AURANGABAD

City’s Aakib finds place in Hockey India Probables

By Paritosh Pramanik

CITY’S talented hockey player Aakib Rahim, who plays for Indian Navy and Services Sports Control Board (SSCB), has been selected as one of the 54 players for the Hockey India Senior Men’s National Coaching Camp.

The camp is scheduled to be held at Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Bengaluru from April 25.

The players are informed to reach the venue on April 24 and report to chief coach Craig Fulton. 

Aakib, son of Arif and Noorjha, thus became the second male player after his cousin brother Syed Niyaz Rahim, to be selected in the core group of Hockey India. 

Niyaz, the current captain of Indian Railways’ hockey team, was also one of the probables for India team a few years ago.

Hockey runs in Rahim family’s blood. Aakib’s father was also a renowned hockey player and had represented Nagpur  City Police and Maharashtra Police in various tournaments. His two brothers, Asif and Sakib too have played hockey at State level.

But Aakib went a notch further after he decided to leave his home turf Nagpur for better prospects.

With hockey continuously declining in the city due to bickering among the officials, several players decided to part their ways with Vidarbha Hockey Association.

Aakib, too, did the same. 

The midfielder, after starting his career with New Police Boys hockey team in Nagpur, decided to move to Hockey Maharashtra fold in 2014.

Aakib said that he will have to work hard to secure a berth in the 18-member team.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to get picked in the 54 core probables. I will have to work much harder to stay with the final 18,” Aakib told ‘The Hitavada’ from New Delhi, where he is training with the Indian Navy team.

The 28-year-old playmaker then tried his luck with Hockey Maharashtra and succeeded in winning gold in the nationals in 2020.

As luck would have it, Aakib was roped in by the Indian Navy and he showed his skills in departmental nationals. Aakib also won national games bronze and inter-department bronze medals in the last five years.

Aakib, a former St John’s High School and Sindhu Mahavidyalaya student, has also clinched gold medal for Services team at Jhansi Nationals.

Aakib had in the past also helped the Navy team win the title at Senior Nehru Hockey Tournament in 2022.

Aakib also represented Mohun Bagan that won the Kolkata Premier League in 2023.

With Aakib in the core probables, the number of city players increased to three. Another midfielder Himanshi Gawande is part of the Junior India set-up and is waiting for her selection in the national team.

The 54-member core group will be pruned down to 40 by April 30 to make new core group of senior men for future coaching camps and international tournaments, it has been learnt.

Chennai Lions will be the team to beat, says CIty’s Jennifer

 

By Paritosh Pramanik

She had trained hard for this day. She always wanted to be part of the Ultimate Table Tennis and her dream came true when she was picked by Chennai Lions for the sixth season of the league which commences at Ahmedabad from May 19.

Playing her maiden Ultimate Table Tennis League will be a challenge but Nagpur’s international table tennis player Jennifer Varghese has trained hard and says that she would learn a lot from the world’s best during the competition.

She feels that Chennai Lions, the 2019 champions, will be one of the strongest sides during the sixth season with players like China’s Fan Siqi and Kazakh’s Kirill Gerassimenko in their ranks.

Jennifer, after performing exceedingly well for India in the past couple of years was expecting to be picked by one of the franchises and she is grateful to be part of Chennai Lions.

“To be honest, I was hopeful but didn’t take anything for granted. Getting selected for a prestigious team like Chennai Lions is a dream come true. I’ve been training really hard, and to see that effort being recognised feels amazing. I’m grateful for this opportunity and excited to be part of such a strong squad,” Jennifer told ‘The Hitavada’ in an exclusive interview.

The 16-year-old Jennifer, who made a resounding entry to the senior level when she won the women’s singles bronze medal during the Senior National Ranking Table Tennis tournament in Goa recently, is confident that Chennai Lions is a balanced side with youth and experience. She said that her team has the capability to beat any side in the competition.

“We have a really balanced and talented team. With top players like Fan Siqi, Kirill Gerassimenko, and some of India’s best like Payas Jain and Sudhanshu Grover, we have depth and experience. I’d say we are definitely one of the strongest teams this season, and we’re all hungry to perform and win,” Jennifer, who was picked for her base value of two lakh, confidently said.

With some big names on her side, Jennifer is confident that China’s Fan would be the difference for her team but with Payas and Sudhanshu also giant-killers, anybody could be the gamechanger. “Every member of the team brings something special to the table. But I think Fan Siqi’s consistency and aggressive style will be a big asset. Also, players like Payas and Sudhanshu can turn matches around on any given day. Honestly, anyone in our squad can be a gamechanger,” declared Jennifer who recently won an Under-19 gold for the country in and an U-17 bronze at the WTT Havirov tournament in Czech Republic.

Jennifer said the Season 6 of UTT would be tough as top international paddlers will be in action and her side will have to produce its A-game to reach the top. “UTT always brings in top international and Indian talent, so every match is going to be a challenge. Teams are getting more competitive each season. We’ll be up against some of the best, and that’s what makes it exciting. We’ll have to bring our A-game every time.”

The Nagpur lass said it would be an incredible experience to play alongside top world class players and she would learn a lot from the stalwarts. “Playing alongside and against world class players in such a professional set-up is an incredible learning experience. It’ll help me grow not just technically and tactically, but also mentally. I’ll get to understand different styles of play, deal with pressure situations, and become a more complete player,” Jennifer signed off.

 The league will feature eight teams — Ahmedabad SG Pipers, Chennai Lions, Dabang Delhi TTC, Goa Challengers TTC, Jaipur Patriots, Kolkata ThunderBlades, U Mumba TT and PBG Pune Jaguars. Top four ranked sides will make it to the semi-finals.

Jennifer picked by Chennai Lions for UTT Season 6

 

By Paritosh Pramanik

CITY’S talented India paddler Jennifer Varghese has been picked by Chennai Lions for the Ultimate Table Tennis’ sixth season.

This will be for the first time that Jennifer will be playing the Ultimate Table Tennis after the Chennai franchise showed faith in her.

Jennifer has been on a medal winning spree this season. In last three months, she has won a few international gold medals for India and it was a matter of time that franchises lay their hands on the rising talent of the country. The Chennai Lions side looks formidable on paper after they shell out 19.7 lakh tokens on China’s Fan Siqi making her the highest valued paddler of the season.

The other team members include Kazakh’s Kirill Gerassimenko, Indian Payas Jain, Sudhanshu Grover and Nikhat Banu. Jennifer was picked at a token price of two lakh. Jennifer has recently won a gold medal for the country in Under-19 and a bronze in Under-17 age category at the WTT Havirov tournament in Czech Republic. 

Earlier in the year, Jennifer and her partner R Balamurugan secured the yellow metal in the Under-19 mixex doubels at the WTT Youth Contender held in Vadodara.

 The tournament will feature eight teams — Ahmedabad SG Pipers, Chennai Lions, Dabang Delhi TTC, Goa Challengers TTC, Jaipur Patriots, Kolkata ThunderBlades, U Mumba TT and PBG Pune Jaguars with top four ranked sides making it to the semi-finals.

VCA proposes amendments to Constitution

The nine proposed articles, to be amended, will now be sent to Supreme Court for final approval

By Paritosh Pramanik

VIDARBHA Cricket Association (VCA), one of the richest associations of the country, has proposed to amend its Constitution after 668 life members voted in favour of the changes put forth by the Constitution Amendment Committee.

The Constitution Amendment Committee comprised VCA President Justice Vinay M Deshpande (Former Judge of the Bombay High Court), Senior Counsel former chief of the association Adv Anand Jaiswal, Adv Anand Deshpande and Adv Harish Thakur.

There are as many as nine articles proposed to be amended. All were accepted by the members of the association during a Special General Meeting held last month.

The proposed amendment to the Constitution, which will be put before the Supreme Court for its final approval, will give more responsibility to a bigger executive committee.

The proposed amendment will also increase the representation of former cricketers as life members as their quota has been proposed to be increased from 20 per cent to 30 per cent.

As per the present Constitution in the players’ quota, only those who have represented the association as a playing member of its Ranji Trophy team, and have retired from First-Class cricket can be a life member.

But now, with BCCI organising several more tournaments, VCA has proposed to add white-ball games as well and those who have represented the association as a playing member of its Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy apart from Ranji Trophy tournaments organised by the BCCI, can apply and get membership.

The panel has proposed to delete the 20 per cent quota of preference for membership to deceased members’ wards.

Similarly, the 20 per cent quota for officials, umpires has also been proposed to be deleted.

Instead, it has been proposed to secure membership to 30 per cent for persons who have rendered services to the association.

“This will help the association in getting services of those game lovers who wish to give their services to the association,” VCA CEO Farokh Dastoor told ‘The Hitavada.’

The panel also proposed to delete Article No 4 of the Constitution relating to the election of honorary life members.

In another major change, the panel proposed to increase the size of the executive committee and do away with the election of selectors.

As proposed, the executive committee shall comprise 11 members and the elected body will nominate nine selectors (three each for senior men, junior men and women teams).

“There might be some players who do not wish to contest elections but are keen to give their services and do coaching after they retire. Hence, it has been proposed to do away with the election of selectors and the new elected body would nominate them,” explained Dastoor.

The panel also proposed that if a member is elected as an office-bearer or association’s nominee/representative to the BCCI prior to attaining the age of 70, he shall not be disqualified from completing his term as an office-bearer, or the association’s nominee/representative to the BCCI on account of crossing the age of 70 years if he has not completed his total eligible term of 9 years.

“For example, if an ‘X’ member attains the age of 69 years, he can be elected on the body and can complete his tenure of three years even if he crosses the 70-year age limit. But those who are 70 years of age would not be able to contest,” clarified VCA CEO.

The panel also proposed to do away with the Standing Committees. “All the sub-committees will be appointed by the executive committee so that distribution of work will be streamlined.”

The panel also proposed to appoint an Election Officer either a former member of the State Election Commission or a retired High Court Judge. In case such an officer is not available, any other former State Election Commissioner or Retired Judge of the High Court, preferably from a neighbouring State may be appointed as the Election Officer.

“It was difficult to find a member of the State Election Commission hence we proposed to add a former High Court judge, preferably from Maharashtra,” said Dastoor.

In another major amendment, the panel proposed to increase the impress advance at the disposal of the secretary from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 to enable him to meet incidental and emergent payments.

The imprest advance amount has also been increased from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh with the sanction of the Executive Committee for any specified period not exceeding two months and for a specific purpose.

“If there is an urgency to purchase any equipment, the Secretary will be permitted to spend up to Rs 50,000. 

“Similarly, the amount can be increased to Rs 5 lakh for which he will have to submit the accounts within two months,” revealed Dastoor.