Former India Test player Yajurvindra Singh is thrilled with the success of the first ‘Cricket Heritage Tour’ of the city last Sunday.
Speaking to The Hindu , Yajurvindra, who has played four Tests and 78 first class matches for Maharashtra and Saurashtra, said: “To understand Indian cricket, its heritage lies in the maidans of Mumbai,”
Yujarvindra and Theo Braganza of Marine Sports took the initiative to plan such a novel tour and 36 cricket lovers from Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Bhopal and Mumbai showed up at the Kennedy Sea Face grounds. They travelled by bus to the various venues, stadiums and grounds across the city — mainly the P.J. Hindu Hindu, Islam and Parsee Gymkhanas, where the Quadrangular and Pentangular matches were once played.
“Wankhede Stadium was another destination. The tour party, thanks to the hospitality of the Mumbai Cricket Association, was taken inside the stadium and to the players dressing room and the office of the MCA. Each one of the tour party was keen to sit and identify Sachin Tendulkar’s seat, a puzzle that could not be unravelled,” said Yajurvendra.
The next halt of the tour was the Brabourne Stadium where former Test players Madhav Apte and Nari Contractor recalled some significant milestones achieved at the venue.
Thereafter the party made its way to the Oval, Cross and Azad Maidans, Bombay Gymkhana, the venue of the first Test match, and also to the Esplanade Ground that built its reputation on the matches played between the Parsees and the European sides. The tour also included visits to Shivaji Park and Dadar where some of Mumbai and India’s legendary cricketers were born.
Finally at the MIG Club, Bandra (East), Mumbai stalwarts Milind Rege and Amol Mujumdar and K. Jayantilal and Yajurvindra Singh recalled the ethos of Mumbai cricket and why the Mumbai team became most formidable.
Media personalities Ayaz Memon, Harsha Bhogle, Milind Wagle and S. Kishore kept everybody engaged at the gymkhanas and at the Mumbai Press Club.
