𝘼 𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙧'𝙨 𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠.

Entered as a senior and left as an all-rounder kid again. A 70+ CS turned author bowls after 40 years at HPPL’s senior-friendly match. It proved senior cricket is about fraternity first and fitness second. Warm welcomes, reunions, Cricket Champion Pataudi memories, why senior cricket is about spirit, not speed. I believe turning up is winning, and read my age-wise cricket tips inside.

CS-turned-author Suryanarayana SV at HPPL CS Legends Senior Friendly Match Media Deck.

Cricket has a way of erasing decades. On 16th May, 2026 at the _HPPL CS Legends Senior Friendly Match_ in Fitforte Sports Arena, Hyderabad, I walked in as a 70+ Company Secretary turned author, and walked out feeling like the all-rounder kid I was in the 1970s. Here’s how the evening unfolded.

1. A Welcome That Set the Tone:

As I entered the arena, the younger organizers' team, CS Navjyoth P, CS Vikram Reddy P, CS Bhoopal Reddy, and CS Chagan Lal, greeted me with genuine warmth. That pleasant welcome from the HPPL team immediately erased any hesitation about playing after 40 years. The tone was set: this was fraternity, not competition.

2. Comfort Off the Field:

The hospitality was thoughtful. Unlimited snack packs, cool drinks, chilled water bottles, and coffee/tea counters gave us comfort between games. For seniors, these small touches matter—they let us focus on cricket, not fatigue.

3. Reunion Before the First Ball:

Multiple matches were running in parallel across boxfields. While waiting, time flew. Many contemporaries joined in. To my delight, several young CS members who had attended my lectures on company law and also communication skills workshops years ago came up to reconnect. The nets hadn’t even started, but the happy chats had.

4. A “TV Moment” at the Media Deck:

Organizer CS Bhoopal Reddy requested a video bite at the media spot, decked with the event backdrop. Standing there, I felt like I was at a televised tournament. I said, “I’m a senior CS turned author and an enthusiastic cricket lover since childhood—an all-rounder. In the 1970s, I saw the late Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, former India captain and Padma Shri awardee, play live. He became my inspiration. I even wrote about this self-motivated champion in my book Selfmotivation111 I’m delighted to be invited to this HPPL-friendly tourney.”

5. Rallying the Fraternity:

Before the event, I reached out to about 25 professionals, saying I had already confirmed and inviting them to join. Eight turned up. The rest had genuine reasons — ill health, travel, or being abroad. Still, the turnout showed the pull of cricket among CS seniors.

6. Flags, Toss, and Finding My Spot:

With 20 players gathered in Court 2, we were handed event flags to wave for the inauguration — a simple, stirring touch. Teams were divided and named Crazy Boys (CB) and Maverics (MA); the toss was done. My team, MA, fielded first. I picked a comfortable spot near the low parapet border—the 1-foot-high brick wall that forms the base for the net poles. It let me stand or sit and relax when needed.

7. Bowling After 40 Years:

When my turn came to bowl an over, I was delighted. MA team captain CS AGRR cautioned me not to use hand-rotating bowling but to release the ball in my comfortable style. Six balls after four decades! I couldn’t run around much, but I could still pitch it. I truly appreciated the bowling skills of CS PK, fielding expertise by CS KSR, and the batting talent of CS MS and CS RKG—class is permanent.

8. Commentary & Cameras:

CS BR (organizing partner) and CS IR kept us engaged with lively running commentary in Telugu and English. Cameras were recording every shot. For a few hours, we weren’t just playing; we were part of a production.

9. My Turn at the Crease:

Team CB posted 58 in 12 overs — about 45 minutes of good cricket. When I batted, I took my colleague CS RS as my by-runner. Everyone was anxious: how would a 70+ manage? First ball, I connected well—only to be intelligently caught by fielder CS SG, who was my student back in 1996. Poetic, really.

10. Losing, Yet Winning:

Our team MA didn’t fare well. But teammates appreciated my enthusiastic approach despite age-related limitations. On the drive back, even my car driver, who watched live, complimented me. That was victory enough.

11. Precautionary Tips for Senior Cricketers:

For fellow seniors, a few lessons from the ground:

- 50-55: Warm up well, hydrate, but you can still sprint.

- 56-60: Pick fielding spots wisely. Avoid diving.

- 61-65: Sit and relax frequently. Use the parapet/boundary. Drink more water.

- 66-70: Don’t stand close to the batsman — let younger fielders cover. Focus on safe stops.

- 70+: Show mild excitement, not aggressive runs. Celebrate wins with the team, not your hamstring. Comfort first, cricket second.

12. When Cricket Erased My Age:

The HPPL CS Legends event proved one thing: age takes away speed, not spirit. If cricketer Pataudi could inspire me in the 1970s, I hope my one over in 2026 inspires someone else to pad up at 70.

In my opinion, showing up is always winning in senior cricket.