Against the odds: A&N Police cricket team creates history by finishing runner-up in SZ

“This is heaven,” said Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) Police cricket team captain Jai Prakash Narayan, beaming with satisfaction as he gazed longingly at the Devineni Venkata Ramana Pranitha cricket ground located in Vijayawada’s suburbs. Playing on a turf wicket was a privilege, as was the skill to read pitches picked up from television.

The arena, resplendent in green grass despite the summer’s onset, is located in Mulapadu village. Lending it a distinct rural charm are a butterfly park adorning the area, if not its scenic setting, nestled among the hills and woods of the surrounding forests.

The picture post-card pretty backdrop could be mistaken for a venue in the Caribbean or South Africa. Throwing in a touch of history is the medieval-era Kondapalli fort that’s not too far off. The ride to the venue is rough, but it’s well worth the trouble.

No coaching, no turf wickets in Port Blair

It was not just Jammu & Kashmir alone which made history recently by winning the Ranji Trophy for the first time in their cricket history. Andaman & Nicobar Police too made history by finishing runner-up at the All-India Police South Zone T20 cricket tournament. A&N’s achievement is of far more significance considering that they don’t even have the basic facilities or coaching.

BRAND AMBASSADORS: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, runner-up in the recent All India Police South Zone T20 cricket tournament held at Mulapadu, near Vijayawada

“Finishing as runner-up in the South Zone and advancing to the All-India quarterfinals, the team showcased exceptional determination, discipline, and true Island pride on the national stage. This first-ever achievement in the history of A&N Police cricket marks a proud milestone, carrying the spirit of our Islands across the country and inspiring young sportspersons across the Union Territory,” the Andaman & Nicobar Police said in a post on X.

https://x.com/AndamanPolice/status/2029554912829358507?s=20

“Back home in Port Blair, we play on cement surfaces,” explained Andaman & Nicobar’s skipper for the second All India Police South Zone T-20 cricket tournament. “If the mat on it is torn anywhere, the chances of the ball crashing into your helmet are ever-present,” he pointed out.

“We have received no coaching whatsoever, our talent is totally raw. So are we not used to spiked boots, made obvious from the couple of runouts we suffered on some sharp singles that you may have noticed,” said Narayan. Bad outfields don’t help their cause either.

With no first-class cricket played in the islands, the support from the Director General of Police (DGP) H G S Dhaliwal, a keen golfer and sportsman himself and the Superintendent of Police in charge of sports, Niyati Mittal, is invaluable. “Both the Indian Police Service (IPS) officers leave no stone unturned to ensure we do our best,” noted Narayan, a Sub Inspector attached to the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBN) posted at Police HQ.

A&N Police team epitomizes unity in diversity

To top it all, they play cricket for just three months. Rains wash out all outdoor sports for the rest of the year. “We assembled from across the archipelago about 25 days before the DGP Cup, which doubled up as a camp for the Vijayawada tournament,” said Vijai Sankar, the team manager. His side had reached the final against Andaman & Nicobar Forest Department.

The team itself epitomises unity in diversity, its members representing almost every linguistic and religious group from across the country. Some of the players are progeny of patriots involved in India’s independence movement, imprisoned by the British in Kala Pani, better known as the notorious Cellular Jail. For instance, ancestors of the Muslims are those who took part in the Moplah rebellion of 1921, also known as the Malabar Rebellion.

A&N Police cricket team players who won the best bowler and best fielder awards

Interestingly, in the cut-throat cauldron of sports, these players don’t speak about themselves or their achievements. Instead, beneath all the banter, so typical of every sports squad, they are full of compliments for each other.

A healthy respect runs through the younger crop for players pushing forties or in their late 30s such as vice-captain Damodar Pillai, C P Yadav or new ball operator Bijith Balakrishnan. The last-named gent’s absence in the final, sidelined by injury, impacted the team adversely, not just with opening the attack but for his contributions with the bat as well.

https://x.com/AndamanPolice/status/2029555105150943522?s=20

Yadav, a key component of the squad’s brains trust, researches rival sides to probe their strengths and weaknesses. Besides, he’s up to date with the latest rule changes in the game’s laws. To him, age is a just a number, evident from the scoop he indulged himself in, as his side drew within shaking hands distance of victory but with just two wickets in hand!

Against the odds, Andaman and Nicobar took down the fancied Telangana squad in their semifinal, spurred by a superb unbeaten 58 by Shohil Ismail, backed up by substantial efforts from his mates. Nick-named Ben Stokes, the southpaw posed a potent threat with the ball too.

Worthy ambassadors of the game

Interestingly, Ismail, posted at Campbell Bay Island in Nicobar district, needs a day-and-a-half to reach Port Blair, by boat or ship! Rated the best all-rounder in the squad, he’s an eternal optimist and a total team man.

The vim and vigour with which these players gave off their best, despite all the deficiencies in preparation, make them worthy brand ambassadors for the game’s growth in contemporary cricket’s outback

The vim and vigour with which these players gave off their best, despite all the deficiencies in preparation, make them worthy brand ambassadors for the game’s growth in contemporary cricket’s outback. Their raw talent cries out for attention to upgrade infrastructure in those parts, which wouldn’t make as much as a dent in the coffers of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI), one of the world’s wealthiest sports bodies.

Chief guest for the valedictory function was S V Rajasekhara Babu, commissioner of police, Vijayawada City. K V Mohan Rao, IGP, sports, Mangalagiri was guest of honour.

Much credit is due to KKN Amburajan, deputy IGP, welfare & sports, Mangalagiri, AP, for organizing the two-day competition, appreciated by one and all for its smooth and efficient conduct.

A Joseph Antony, author of ‘My way—The biography of M L Jaisimha’ (Apple Books, Kindle, +91-9490040831) was a sports commentator for Sony TV and a senior assistant editor with The Hindu and Sportstar.