A Twenty20 match of a different kind was held at the State Central Library in the city on Tuesday.
It was a match without sponsors, stars or even bat and ball. The teams in this ‘green' cricket match were not named after cities and regions but after vegetables and fruits. And the young players in the match scored not by hitting runs but by waxing eloquent on the virtues of the vegetable or fruit that their team represented.
The excitement was palpable as the audience burst into raptures every time the ‘Nellikka Elevens' and the ‘Vendakka Elevens' scored.
It was a refreshing experience for the participants of the summer camp at the library as they participated in the unique Twenty20 Agri Fest organised by the Agri Viewers' Forum, an organisation promoting awareness of agriculture among the young generation.
“We decided to go with the mood of the season and engage children in discussions on agriculture in the format of a Twenty20 cricket match. This way we can generate interest and enthusiasm and motivate them to talk and learn about traditional agriculture practices of our State,” said S. Jayakumar, programme coordinator.
The participants were divided into eight teams, equal to the number in the IPL circuit. They then competed in events such as debates, extempore speeches and a quiz on agriculture. Each answer has to be given in a maximum of six points through which a team can score a sixer.
Information on agriculture was intermingled with IPL statistics and excerpts from memorable matches to maintain the tempo of the competition. The children were asked to prepare charts about their teams, linking them with the players of an equivalent IPL team.
Thus, the children got a chance to step into the shoes of their favourite cricket star, as the little captain of the Nellikka Elevens, representing Mumbai Indians, became little master Sachin Tendulkar.
The teams also posed for a team photo along with a basket of their ‘team vegetable.' Perakka Elevens, Pavaykka Elevens, Orange Elevens, Kathiri Elevens, Thakkali Elevens and Kanthari Elevens were the other teams that participated in the event.
The festival will continue on April 29, May 4 and May 15. The best performer at the finals will be awarded the man-of-the-match trophy.
