The season of runs being piled on and wickets tumbling returned at The Telegraph Cricket 2018 CC&FC Invitational 6-A-Side Corporate Cricket Tournament, presented by Royal Challenge Sports Drink, from February 27 to March 29. A total of 68 teams participated, vying for the Gold Plate, Silver Plate and Bronze Bowl. This year saw the introduction of an Open’s category in addition to the main competition, the idea being to raise the level of cricket by allowing teams to field non-employees.
On the final day, with Royal Challengers Bangalore team members —Pavan Deshpande, Parthiv Patel, Pawan Negi and Aniruddha Joshi — watching, Grewal Motors beat United E-Services to win the Open’s Gold Plate while Fortis Healthcare defeated Exide Industries to clinch the main Gold Plate.
GOLD PLATE
SILVER PLATE
BRONZE BOWL
Also won...
In the Open’s category, Wow! Momo won the Silver Plate beating Diya Overseas and Parcon beat DSP BlackRock to bag Bronze Bowl
While the RCB guys took in the action from the sidelines, t2 caught up with Parthiv Patel for a quick chat.
What are your earliest memories of Calcutta?
Earliest memories... I played one of my first Test matches, when I was 17, at Eden Gardens against West Indies. So I think that is very fresh... first time ever I played in front of a full house... that is my earliest and biggest memory of Calcutta.
Is that your favourite memory of Eden Gardens as well?
Absolutely... well there are two. This one and the one in 2015 when we (Mumbai Indians) won the IPL at Eden Gardens. So yeah, Eden Gardens is very special.
What is your favourite Bengali food?
(Laughs) Well, there are a lot of things. I like sandesh... we get that back in Gujarat as well. Of course, rosogolla too; every time we come here we have that. And fish, which is very famous here. Being a Gujarati, I eat a lot of non-veg stuff, so I like Bengali food.
Do you have a go-to place in Calcutta?
Ah... not really. I think we stay in the hotel mostly. But thanks to these local players, (Ashoke) Dinda and all, we get the famous biryanis from all over. So we are taken care of every time we come here.
What are your expectations from IPL?
I think RCB has been a very strong team through the years and we would definitely love to win. That’s the only expectation.
What do you think about your captain Virat Kohli?
I think he is brilliant. I mean he is the best player in the world... looking forward to playing under him.
How different is IPL from international or domestic matches?
See, there isn’t much difference between the international matches and IPL because the crowd is there, the preparations and everything are as good as international standards. Yes, domestic games are different where you don’t get too much crowd. But IPL games are as good as playing in an international game.
Any superstition you follow before you play a match?
Every sportsman has a superstition... I have a few. I go down from the left side whenever I am opening.
Who’s your cricket idol?
It has always been Sachin Tendulkar.
What do you do to relax after a stressful day?
Just watch movies, listen to music... have a quite conversation with the family.
Your fave holiday destination?
It has always been New Zealand. I love going to New Zealand, so that’s my favourite.
Text: Sulogna Ghosh
Pictures: Shuvo Roychaudhury
