Season 21 - Reinventing ourselves....

After two very one sided seasons, everyone was left wondering. Is the end near for Maidaan cricket? After having played for this long, was this becoming that soap that had long lost its bubble. For some of us who rely on maidaan cricket to pull us up, to look for camaraderie, a sense of belonging or just that adulative comment that hits home, this would be akin to your balls being chopped and placed as an ornament on a xmas tree. 

From the onset, one thing that has worked is minimal change. Teams are drawn up in a certain way, playing rules apart from some darn tree or protrusion altering the course of the ball have seldom been changed. So what was creating the wide gulf between the two teams across seasons? On paper, the teams were almost an even split. Like for like. With the kids now outsmarting the men, and some new talent in the pool, bench strength was not the issue. 

So as Season 21 started with a newly minted captain in the form of Manoj and the old warhorse Dhruv, we only had hope that things would change. And what a season it turned out to be. 

The first 2 games of the season had all the drama spanning an entire season and that was exactly what we will needed. Absurd last over finishes, mind bending ways to get out and new heroes in every game. After trading a few opening salvos, Dhruv got the Raptors together as a cohesive unit and they suddenly seemed to have found a new gear all together. Just as this would look like another one sided show, the Pacers seemed to regroup. Manoj after the initial tentativeness seemed to be in control of proceedings and his team started responding better to him in the process. 

In the end, it game down to one game separating the two teams and potentially a game changing runout that allowed the Raptors to win Season 21 by 16-12.

 

Highlights and notable performances: 

Pacers : 

The first word I could find when I looked at their team was that a lot of their key players were under utilized. This could be only because decisions are taken based variables at hand but I always believe that going against the grain works in the maidaan. Predictability works against you and teams plan better against it. And since we are all humans, being under valued does not always work well. Not suggesting that the Raptors had all this nailed down but I felt the Pacers could have reworked plans rather than sticking to the same formula all season. 

From a batting standpoint, Ahaan finally had a season where he felt he was doing something for his team. A free mind makes you a freer spirit and hope he gets better from here on. 

Raghu ensured the Pacers got solid starts and chipped in with his bowling which is very penetrative. 

Kiran was a different man all together. Was ready to pick up a fight, defend his team at any costs but most importantly started smashing the bowlers to every part of the ground. 

Susmit did not do enough as a batter but his bowling whenever it was called upon was imaginative and effective. 

Gopi oh Gopi. This mean now does not surprise you anymore. Highly challenging to bowl to and the switch hits are so damn painful if you are a bowler. No other batter demands two fielders in the basketball court and often they are mere spectators. 

Sameer was still reminiscing from his MVP heydays. And to think of it, that was just a season ago. The harder he tried, the tougher it got. He is still a prized batter and a thinking bowler. Season 22 could just be his. 

Ayush has probably been evolving and getting better at his skill sets faster than anyone else in our entire group. And now he has a clear mind of his own. He bowls to his strengths, sets his own field and takes wickets for fun. His batting is potent too but he did not have a chance to fully showcase what a good all rounder he has become. 

Samir by his standards had a poor season. And you could sense he was trying to break the shackles every time and it only got harder. But then form is temporary, and the Thala will be back. 

Shiten bowled really well whenever he had the ball but bowled only upfront. I think that was a big miss for the Pacers and he is a quality batter who again came when the game was either lost or beyond repair. 

Satya started the season with MVP performances and backed by his Perplexity models was probably going to be MVP. No doubt what the man can bring in, but he just cannot keep falling to external forces and voices. That proved to be his biggest downfall. As captain next season, the external noises will only get louder. 

HK still continued to be gold standard. By his past record he had a modest season and I say this very carefully because he still ended up being MVP. But there in lies the mastery of the man. Can he always pull his team out single handedly. And maybe thats your answer too. 

Vicky continued doing what he does best. He ran for his whole team and made the batter double his score without much effort and then when it came to his own individual performance he took some real blinders on the field backed by his batting that has become more fearless. On the bowling front he was called up very minimally. 

And finally the leader of the Pacers. Manoj is a super astute mind and reads the game better than anyone but the moment you become captain, those same very skills become kryptonite. Plus with him not being available for some games and more than able deputies, I dont think Manoj had enough of a chance to take full control of the Pacers. And being captain at the maidaan is still mostly a HR job. With a full squad ensuring everyone gets game time itself can be super taxing. I dont like comparing but Dhruv in his first season was like Manoj. And that is why I think Manoj will come back as a captain again. Also ensured we played fairly as a group which itself can be quite a task. 

If I have missed out others in the team, its intentional. Please show up more often :-) 

Raptors: 

The below are contributions from AK and Harsha. 

I will only offer my prelude. I think what worked for the Raptors all season long was being a very cohesive team. Dhruv was always seen as the absolute leader of the pack and his decision making while being consensus driven still had him take the final call. He also took some very tough decisions that included giving Apoorv captaincy for a few games though he had more experienced alternatives :-) 

HaHA did have the final laugh. 

And as we wrap up this incredible season, what a story it has been for the RAPTORS led brilliantly by Dhruv!!!!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS SEASON

Arjun has been steaming in all season long — bowling with pace, precision, and purpose, rattling stumps and batsmen alike.

From the opposite end, Aashish has been the perfect partner in crime, tightening the screws with disciplined bowling that kept the pressure sky-high.

In the field, Dinesh has been nothing short of outstanding — safe hands, sharp reflexes, and some match-turning catches that lifted the team when it mattered most

 — and with the ball, his left-arm rhythm brought control, swing, and crucial breakthroughs. 

And how can we forget Vikram bhai's initial burst... giving nothing to the opponents! The man has delivered yorkers on demand — inch-perfect &  unplayable!!

With the bat, Hari treated us to classical, elegant stroke-play — a batter straight out of the coaching manual. And if Hari brought the class, Harsha & Aashish brought the entertainment, producing stroke-filled innings almost every single match, turning pressure into opportunity with fearless cricket. 

Behind the stumps, Hari doubled his value with excellent wicketkeeping — quick, alert, and always involved.

Apoorva chipped in everywhere — runs, wickets, energy — a true all-rounder giving the team balance and stability.

Let’s not forget the spark provided by the youngsters — Eeshan and Pranav — full of energy, hunger, and game-changing moments. 

And at the top, left-hander Naren gave the team some beautiful starts, timing the ball sweetly and setting the platform more often than not!

KG- good breakthrough bowling when it really mattered... especially getting the wicket of HK in a crucial match. (Mudassar Nazar of Raptors)

Anshul - such a team spirited player.  Does whatever is asked of him happily.  Today his classy four is an indication of what will come next season.

Kings - some terrific innings this season, been a bit unfortunate but amazing striking all through.

Eshan - soon he will be a top contender for Maidaan's best allrounder... I still remember his brave ask to take the mid-wicket position, and he did it so well.

Kishore - crowd's favorite from both sides, need I say more!!??  an example of a complete team player and someone very hard to rattle!

AK sir - amazing composure in tough situations... plus always hungry to hit.  Was a tad bit unlucky due to runouts but made every inning count.

Pranav - was tied up with other commitments but whenever he is on the field we know Deep Mid-wicket area is sorted.  Also very smart cricketer overall.  More to see from this young gun's willow in 2026.

CP - also had other commitments but kept coming just to motivate the teams... hats off CP sir!

Chaitanya - missing your action bro, you know I am your fan.  Recover quickly and come back stronger!  Maidaan needs you.

...

All in all, a season built on great captaincy, talent, teamwork, and heart — every player stepping up & contributing to win the series.