The Concept of Veterans Cricket

The Veterans Cricket Board was constituted way back in 1997 by former Test cricketer Mr. Bishan Singh Bedi. The idea behind this was to engage cricketers who had hung their boots in playing for the respective country and domestic first-class games. By coming together as an association, they would be actively involved in the game, which is their first love and passion.

 

Nothing is complete without actually playing the game, hence a 5 match series was organised and played between the Veterans of India and Pakistan. These matches coincided with the 1997 World Cup and were an enormous success. The association also took this opportunity and started Honoring former cricketers of their respective countries. Similar series was hosted and played at Sharjah with the aim of engaging the former cricketers in the game of cricket. Sri Lankan veterans team touring India & UAE followed this to play few matches with India & Pakistan Veterans. 
 

In 1997, the Veterans Cricket Association of Hyderabad was formed and registered, under the able guidance of the most experienced administrator of HCA, Mr P R Mansingh. 

 

The association took up the challenge of hosting the India Pakistan Veterans match at Hyderabad, which was a great success. Mr. Polly Umrigar, a former Test cricketer of India, was felicitated and honoured during that match.

 

Later, the veteran’s team from Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka started playing in the yearly Zonal tournament. Which is continuing today at different venues in southern States of India. The winner of the South Zone veterans team played with the other zonal champions, respectively. But the spirit and concept for which the Veterans Association was formed is lacking. 

 

The Veterans Cricket Association of Hyderabad decided to revive the concept in 2008 and started their activity of grouping the like minded former State & Club cricketers once again into playing arena & giving them membership in the association. This was possible only by the able leadership of Mr PR Mansingh. Association started playing friendly matches on weekends and took the opportunity of honouring former Hyderabad state players who have played this game. This was widely appreciated by the cricketing fraternity and the media.

 

The Veteran’s from Anantapur invited The Veterans Cricket Association of Hyderabad for 3 friendly matches to be played at Rural development trust Ground. What started as a friendly game of cricket today has become an annual tournament named after Late Father Vincent & organised by Mr. Mancho Ferrer Head of RDT.  In reciprocation The Veterans Cricket Association of Hyderabad conducts an Annual Cricket Tournament for Veterans “The Ganga Raju Mansigh Cup”. Five District veteran teams participate in this tournament.

 

The Veterans Cricket Association of Hyderabad team travels abroad to play with the international Veterans teams. In 2008 they travelled to Sri Lanka and played 3 games in that country. Following which they have now travelled to US, Cañada, United Kingdoms, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Kenya & Hong Kong. In India the team has travelled to Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh.

 

The VCAH conducts monthly meetings with their members and also the executive committee members meet regularly to discuss the future of Veterans cricket in Hyderabad. 

 

As a good will gesture the VCAH teams also travel to Districts & play with Budding Cricketers.