NEW DELHI, May 24: Few things in my lifetime have been more exciting than the first night cricket match at the Sydney Cricket Ground,'' wrote Richie Benaud. The ground bathed in nocturnal brilliance perhaps fascinated the former Australian skipper. It was indeed another contribution by Australian business tycoon Kerry Packer to dazzle the world with his innovations in the field of cricket.Cricket by night is the latest craze among spectators all over the world. Most triangular series (whether they be held in England, Australia, South Africa, the West Indies, Sharjah or India) are being played under lights.
Delhi is no exception as it has caught up with the Capital's sportslovers as well. It has all the ingredients that make it thrilling: the noise, the excitement, light moments and tight combats.
Even the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) tried out Ranji final under lights at Gwalior last year, which drew mixed reaction from the players concerned. Most of the cricketers said a one-day game under lights would have been more welcome.
In the Capital, Malviya Club organised the final of a tournament a few years ago at the Nehru Stadium under lights. Lala Hari Ram Aggarwal Memorial limited-overs tournament, currently being held at the MCD grounds near the Old Delhi Railway Station, is perhaps the most popular of the Capital's night cricket shows. Every day (rather night) it attracts around 5,000 to 8,000 spectators. More than 60 Ranji Trophy players from various states have already participated in it.
What could be the main reasons for the crowd making a bee-line for such matches?
The novelty of watching a game under lights is the prime reason. ``People usually desist from going all the way in the humid weather to watch a game. Office-goers find the timings more suitable,'' says Ashok Aggarwal, a senior official of the organising committee of Lala Hari Ram Aggarwal tournament.
Matches usually begin around 6 in the evening and finish around 11 pm. Most of the cricketers also welcome such tournaments. ``It is easier to play under cooler weather conditions,'' says former India wicketkeeper Vijay Yadav, whose Blues Stars team from Faridabad took part in the tournament.
Night tournaments in the Capital have other attractions as well for the spectators. At the MCD grounds, a ball-by-ball running commentary by a person who also doubles up as official scorer gives the match some colour.
It was a similar case at the recent Yogmaya Laxmi night tournament for slum children, organised by former international Kirti Azad at various parks in the Gole Market area. During the final, television star Abhinav Chaturvedi's description of the match in a lighter vein was applauded by the large gathering. The participating teams also do not have many complaints about the tournaments under lights. For, one thing, the organisers don't charge much something between Rs 500 to Rs 2,500. Most of them also provide coloured T-shirts to the participating teams to give the tournament a `true night atmosphere.'
With the temperature soaring every day, cricket under lights has come to stay in the Capital.
