[edit] Primus Software - Delta Info Sys Super 16 Trophy

Vibha Atlanta Team

Atlanta, GA: Cricket fans in Atlanta have had a quite a busy season of cricket this year. We already had the 2006 Future Tech Vibha cricket tournament with a record 49 teams and then the India West Indies series from the Caribbean, that ended with an Indian victory for the first time in 35 years. Apparently that wasn't enough and we wanted more. Our cricket appetite is insatiable around here. With many of the top teams clamoring to impose their superiority and strut their stuff once again, Vibha took the opportunity to get the elite together again for a knock-out tournament . The top 16 teams from the Future Tech Vibha tournament were invited to compete for the Primus Software - Delta Info Sys Super 16 Trophy on July 8th, 2006.

We are usually praying for clear skies and no rain during Vibha cricket events. This time, we were looking for some respite from the sun, hoping for a little bit of cloud cover at the very least. We had no such luck as it turned out to be a blazing hot day, as was to be expected in July in Atlanta.

In the first round games the only game close to an upset was the Georgia Tigers losing to a resurgent Blue Panther team. The Blue Panthers were a surprising early loser in the FutureTech tournament, but they came to play this time. Their eye set on the trophy and their game face on - the Panthers polished off a chase of 70 runs against Parthy's Tigers without losing any wickets. In other first round games, the Alpharetta Monsters beat the Desparados, Martin's Maniacs beat Delta Infosys, the Purple Bulls beat Andy's 2 and the HITMEN beat the Alpharetta Warriors.

Quarter Final match-ups were set and most of the matches got real close and interesting. Going from strength to strength, the Blue Panthers demolished the Martin's Maniacs by bowling them out for 51 and again knocking that paltry total off without any loss. The usually solid Purple Bulls who lost to GA Tech in the semis of the FutureTech tourney, were caught a little flat-footed this time, and lost to the Rebels United led by Paras. Georgia Tech started a bit slow, but shook off its rust and ended with a flourish to finish up with 89 in its 10 overs and smoked out the Smokers at 69. The Smokers gave the spectators a little thrill with a couple of late sixes and a hint of an upset possibility, before fizzling out. The Alpharetta Monsters with new recruit Yasir leading the way, totally overpowered the Hitmen in the other quarter final.

The real fun began with the semifinals. Usually teams shy away from an opportunity to face these Georgia Tech Monsters, uh I mean Playboys. But unlike many other teams, Arpit, the captain of the Panthers smacked his lips at this chance to play GT and show what they were preparing for these last couple of months and prove that their earlier loss this year was an aberration. They batted first and scored a very defendable 89 with Neenad leading the way with 24 and Hanif finishing strong with 19. This seemed especially defendable in this heat - temperatures were well over 90 and with the steaming astro-turf it felt like a smoldering 110 degrees or so. GA Tech started reasonably well as Nimir and Armaan scored 11 and 23, with a couple of sixes thrown in for good measure. But suddenly with some smart bowling and poor batting, wickets tumbled and in no time Tech was left with one wicket and more than 30 runs to get. Hanif was especially devastating getting 3 wickets in his one over for just 2 runs. The only thing Tech had going for them was that Ambrish was a seasoned campaigner on this turf. With 19 runs needed of the last over, Ambrish sent the first two balls into orbit with huge sixes and set up a fantastic finish. He survived a point blank run-out chance and set the game up for a last ball finish. Could it be the best vanguard action any Vibha tournament has seen so far? Could the Playboys come back from the dead and thwart the Panthers in this seemingly implausible finish ? One ball to go, 4 to win.. Venkat bowls.. Ambrish swings.. RUN OUT !! Panthers win. Champs beaten. The only team feeling blue are the Playboys ! But what an exciting end. Panthers were vindicated. Arpit says, this is what they came for.. and they were overjoyed.

And that's not all ! We had another semifinal to play ! Yasir, Ajay and Prasad made sure there wasn't another collapse like the one they had in the FutureTech semis, by scoring 15,17 and 26 respectively and with ample support from the rest of the team, the Monsters made it to 92. Sailesh and Viraj from the Rebels started the chase off in rollicking fashion.. with Sailesh scoring 47 and the Rebels just needing 15 from the last 2 overs. But these are the Monsters, sometimes hot and sometimes cold. Just when they needed to turn it on, Ajay turned it really on. He gave up just 3 runs and took the vital wicket of Sailesh. Still the Rebels needed just a very possible 12 in the last over. But the first ball of the last over produced another wicket and although they still had a chance if they got a six off the last ball, the Rebels snatched defeat from the jaws of victory and the Monsters and Prasad with that great last over, survived.

The stage was set for a good finals. Both teams were well roasted and couldn't wait to get this done with. But obviously, in what was turning out to be a pattern, another last ball finish was on the cards. The Monsters batted first again and predictably Ajay held an end up until he received support from the other side in Prasad and the two of them had a good partnership and scored 47 and 20 respectively and Monsters had a total they could fight with. The Panther had to get to 86 to run away as the champions. Yogesh, Venkat and Neenad got them going and it seemed everything was set for an easy win. 13 runs to go. 2 overs remaining. Ajay was out of overs and Prasad had one more. Saving Prasad for the last one - captain Sanjay says - 'Gimme the damn ball'. Leading from the front, Sanjay's hunger for a victory clearly showing, he bowls a fantastic line and gets Venkat off the first ball. With their tails up and fielding sharper after that shot in the arm, Sanjay concedes just 4 runs in that over and an ultimate over is set up with anything possible. 9 runs to win for the Panthers. Prasad has seen this before. "Just avoid the big hit. Singles are OK", the Monsters yell. 2 singles and balls later, we are at 4 balls to go and 7 to win. Pressure is on the Panthers to get a boundary. Swing and miss.. Bowled ! Prasad strikes. 3 balls and 7 to get, now. But the clearly tired and rattled Panthers, swing and miss 2 more times and manage just a leg bye. Anish facing the last ball, swings one more time on the last ball and they manage one run.. Monsters Win, Monsters Win, Monsters Win. Congratulations to the Alpharetta Monsters and welcome back Blue Panthers !

Sanjay Narla said as he raised the Primus Software - Delta Infosys Super 16 Vibha Trophy, "The semis and finals could have gone either way, but our experience helped us. We've seen these situations many times before. Our bowling crumbled before and we lost few matches after being in a winning position including the 2004 VIBHA final against the Blue Panthers. But this time we were a determined bunch and fought hard till the last ball. Ajay and Prasad were phenomenal, but it was a total team effort and we had some extra ordinary performances at crucial points. This was a dream come true and we are very delighted to win the tournament finally after a long wait but as my teammates say... this is just the beginning. We are going to really bring the same effort and intensity next year as well".

Deservedly individual awards went to:

Man of the Tournament: Ajay of Alpharetta Monsters

Best Batsman: Amit of Alpharetta Monsters

Best Bowler: Hanif of Blue Panthers.

All this was possible thanks to our wonderful sponsors - Primus Software Corporation, Delta Infosys and Andy's Grill, who provided an excellent lunch and refreshments as usual. Kudos to Vibha and their volunteers once again for a great tournament and their tireless efforts in raising funds for such a wonderful cause. What a finish! We definitely could use more tournaments like this! Can't wait for next season!