Wrapping the year with mega cricket event - United we celebrate

Every year, Christmas is an occasion we desperately wait for - our mega cricketing event happens on this day, the BBCC (Blue Bird cricket club) veteran meet, inviting every player who played for our village since 1978. This day is fixed for this event, because this is the time, everyone (mostly) can be available, because of holiday. More ever, everyone wishes to come home during Christmas and new year, so it gives us an opportunity to meet our elder brothers, friends, juniors at one place and have some fun.

Every year, we used to form three teams and play round robin matches, but this year, we had one extra team, Team Sr. Red, of our batch and they selected me as Captain - something, I never achieved when I was playing in my young time :) The team wearing navy blue ( TEAM NIALLA) is from a neighboring village NIALLA, so they also wait for this day desperately and prepare to gather their full force. Team Sr Blue ( the surf blue color) is the most Senior team, and Team Sr. Green is the most junior batch - but they are also veterans, so everyone is senior here. None of the players are actively playing cricket, but it was so good to see the spirit of sportsmanship in all the games.

The first match was ours between Team Sr. Red, and Team Sr Blue, and they won the toss and choose to bat first.

Exchange of player list between both Captains.

They scored 131 in 12 overs, thanks to our poor fielding and bowling, but finally we had an unbelievable win, after two of our batsman took charge after half of the match. The ground was purposely made small, and it's easy to hit a six - but only if your body supports 😀and you play straight.

Dahi vara, aloo dum - the not to miss snacks was ready after we completed our fielding and may be that was the secret of our batsman.

Team Sr. Blue praying before entering for their fielding and our two openers. That few minutes strategic discussion and prayer before the fielding has been a habit.

The next match was between Team Sr. Green and TEAM NIALLA.

TEAM NIALLA batted first and Team Sr. Green could not play their best, to win the match, even they had tremendous potential. So that promoted Team Sr. Red (our team) and TEAM NIALLA to the final match. In the mean time we had some high profile guests - our beloved elder brothers Raja bhai and Bikash bhai who have been very supportive to us for all these events and a photo session was done.

This is probably the last event on this ground, because the work for the proposed road has already started. As you can see, they are putting the building blocks and that was the main reason, we had to shorten the boundary. So we need another field and Raja bhai assured us that he has already built a vision and have a nice beautiful field for the village - all because of his relationship with this place. Because of his high influence in the govt as a MLA, this could even be built in few days. He had quite an inspiring speech saying, how relationship is the best asset one should have till death. We all are very positive to have our field ready by the time the road work starts, as it will take half of this field. May be my post next year, will be a testimony to that.

So next was the final, but wait, the mutton was ready and it was already lunch time. Let's go and enjoy the food.

Behind the scene few leaders do the heavy lifting to arrange these delicious food that everyone appreciates.

Our elder brother Biswajt bhai has knee problems and knows he can't play, but he comes every year to be with us and enjoy the time. That's the kind of friendly relationship we all have.

The mutton was very very tasty, but as you know, some leg pulling still happens, still blaming the organizers asking them to make it better next time :) There is only one rule in sports - don't mind anything. After eating the delicious lunch to our fullest capability, I headed with the Captain of TEAM NIALLA for the toss.

I won the toss and decided to bat first, as it was easier than fielding after a heavy lunch. But our dependable batsmen did not click, and we lost wickets quickly and were able to make only 112 runs in 12 overs, and then happily lost because of our poor fielding.

Then came the prize distribution ceremony - a formal honor for the performance along with a bouquet of flowers. And everyone was invited to share their experience and suggestion.

Time to say goodbye and wait until next year ( we are not sure even about next year), but before that few more memories captured.

This was made to take selfie - a first this year.

Earlier in the day, we took selfie but seems the height has to be reduced - improvements for next year.

From 9.30 morning till the evening, we all enjoyed the event, but still we were not filling like going away. A final dance was pretty enjoying, watch the video towards the end.

All shots shoot on Sony Alpha 6400M, me being the novice photographer, this was bought recently to help, especially while shooting the videos, as its quite difficult to hold the camera for long. Some more clicks from the day that was requested - these memories will be used next year.

It was unfortunate for you to sustain injury and go to hospital - see you next year.

Here is the video from the event, must watch towards the end.

Wish you all Merry Christmas - may this Christmas bring you joy, laughter and unforgettable moments.

I could not upload the video to @threespeak, it just does nothing after I select the video. It would have been nice to notify the users that upload is temporarily suspended instead of keeping mum - a suggestion, for user friendliness.

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