Anand Premier League (APL), Anand Apartments’ very own version of instant cricket, is a mammoth exercise in innovation. To organise it, residents of this apartment complex at Dr. Ranga Road in Mylapore have come up with a raft of rules that enables it to be fitted into the constricted space at the residential facility.
The rules are so designed to cause the least inconvenience to residents.
A parking area serves as the pitch for this four-over cricket tournament, which is played with ‘smiley’ balls.
Batsmen get to score one, two, four and six runs depending on which part of the ‘ground’ the ball travels to.
Each team consists of two players , one senior and a junior member. The teams are selected through a draw of lots, and the matches are conducted only on a Sunday.
APL was launched during the annual day celebration of the apartment in August 2016.
The parking space becomes the pitch for this four-over cricket tournament. Photos: G. Krishnaswamy
“We had eight to 10 teams, representing all the blocks of the apartment (A to G), take part in the first edition,” says A. Shankar Ramachandran who, along with E. Radhakrishnan, conceptualised APL.
Names of teams were inspired by landmarks in the neighbourhood. They include Marina Drivers, Rathna Cutters, Citi Scoopers, Ispa Gliders, EA Sweepers, Santhome Pullers and Sathyam Hookers.
The matches were played over a span of three weeks and only on Sundays, between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
“All the cars and motorcycles have to be removed from the parking areas, but we made sure this did not cause any inconvenience to residents,” says Shankar Ramachandran who has been a resident of the 54-unit apartment complex for over 10 years.
The balcony at each flat was converted into a gallery with residents cheering every run that was scored.
Organisers say APL has been a source of bonding for residents and for many seniors, an opportunity to play the willow game again.
Plans are in the pipeline to spice up APL.
Based on feedback from residents, we plan to tweak the game further.
“We were faced with a mathematical challenge when the teams in the finals were in a tie; so, we plan to better it further,” he adds.
