Season 13 wrap up !!! Hurricanes win it with a final weekend surge....

I start off by saying this was a strange season on many counts. To start with, we did not have much coverage and I take full responsibility for that. 

Two new captains and some interesting team changes including going retro with the team names - Hurricanes and Wolfpacks meant that maidaan cricket was reinvigorating itself to a myriad of possibilities. 

Chaitanya was leading the Wolves and the fast riser Dhruv had the onerous task of leading a team filled with characters. 

Even before the season began, there was enough drama to fill a courtroom and if the Mankad episode was not fresh on everyone's mind this was not the ideal way to get the new season underway. 

Since I was in the Wolves I was privy to how Chaitanya was thinking ahead. He wrote the most articulate piece of strategy for his team to follow. Batting order, fielding positions and who bowls which over, he had it all nailed to the last hole. Our team was like " Woah". 

On the other hand Dhruv was looking for two matching shoes and a way to increase the baritone in his voice. 

The Wolves got off to the best start ever, 5-0 after the first few weekends and you would imagine that all the well played plans were paying off. Most seasons at the maidaan sway and almost oscillate in favor of one team and it ends up with a tight season ending finish. This was a strange season that way. The Wolves took their foot off the pedal and before they knew it, the Hurricanes were leading 12-7 with two wins away from a season victory. However to continue with the plot for the season, the Wolves bounced back and the score became 12-12. 

The season had many stars, the boys clearly had one to remember. Ayush became stronger, faster and the go to bowler for Chaitanya both at the front and back of the innings. Pranav whenever he showed up was a class apart. His knock in the final game of the season including making a bowler of degrading abilities wait in his run up were cocky and in your face. Ahaan also finally started believing in himself and showed he could smoke a few out of the park much to everyone's delight. 

What I really loved about this season was the energy and passion some folks brought to the table. Vicky probably leads from the front. Apart from ensuring both teams has the requisite numbers, his bowling shone right through the season. He was easily the highest wicket taker for the Hurricanes. 

Harsha was stupendous. A guy lands at 3 am after being on a flight for 24 hours, rides 10 k to be here and smokes every bowler into submission. And did I forget his commitment to the cause. 

Sameer with all his broken bones did mad ass stuff on the ground. He is gold dust and having him on any team only lifts everyone around him. 

Vikram was very focused and charged up right through the season. And when he does that his performances count. 

Chaitanya came into his own as the season progressed. Very natural leader, leading from the front and very assured about his plans. Hoping for a C led victory next season. He deserves it. 

Manoj Menon was Afridi and FMCG in one. His swagger and chomps to fight were an eye to behold. 

AK Sir continued his belligerent form and had great company in the Kings who rediscovered his sublime form and skill this season. 

Coming to the Hurricanes, you always knew they had a better all round team by which I mean that they had a full repertoire of all rounders that be counted upon at any stage. 

Satya became the enforcer with ball and bat. Need I say more. 

Dhruv apart from his captaincy which was democratic at best found a way to lead his team and contribute with both bat and all. His bowling nous went up many levels this season. 

Samir probably did not have enough to do this season but was always around when the going got tough. 

HK continued doing things only he can pull off. No let off and all the bowlers could feel happy about was a dot ball bowled at him. 

Shiten rediscovered his bowling mojo in the second half of the season and that played a large role in his teams success. 

The quietest man on the ground , Kiran had a wonderful season too. He played some important knocks that helped his team post tough totals and nothing more important than in the last game of the season. 

A lot of folks had fairly underwhelming seasons. Was it trying to hard, not being focused, bored, apathy, or all of the above. Hopefully they all get back to delivering. Everyone wants to be a hero, and the maidaan is where hero's are cape adorned. 

" We don't remember days, we remember moments. Don't wait for other people to make special things happen, you create it. " 

Season 13 MVP's: 

Hurricanes - HK 

Wolves - Ayush