We are the Champions! - Nano'11 Photo Gallery

The most famous win of them all..

That extraordinary match with Spartans played exactly an year ago as recounted by R.Ajay Kaushik. (2/3/2009)

Today was the day when the whole team experienced the entire gamut of emotions right from anguish to unbounded joy,extreme tension which made even the spectators watch with baited breath (the lesser said about the atmosphere in the team dug out the better). This was the match which we pushed to, by our own buttery skills (7 dropped catches), the jaws of defeat, but somehow the skills of our bowlers ensured that the M.Techs couldn't cross the magical figure of 100. Special mention has to be made about Gopal who has made it a habit to pull of a blinder every match and of Bala's commitment who was playing the match with a badly fractured finger.

For all those who felt that the first session was dramatic they were in for a surprise when Malindu walked in to open the innings with Prashanth Baptist to chase down the target of 93 runs. And when the chase began little did we knew about the true nature of the pitch. From 19 for no loss we slipped to a pathetic 26 for 4 with Malindu, Baptist, Tilak and Govardan gettin out in quick succession. That was the time when Rajkumar walked into the crease to give company to Arjun Devgan. This period of play gave us some hope and Arjun's straight six reminded us of the Tendulkar of the 90's. But the ship was rocked again when Devgan got out with still 40 runs remaining to be chased down.Then I came to the crease. Just when everyone was thinking that the ship would reach the shore safely, a calamity of sorts struck with 3 wickets falling for 2 runs which included 2 freakish run outs! Our hopes were fast flickering out.

75/8 - In walked the No.10 batsman Bala after the fall of Dinesh Jayasekara's wicket - his walk shouldn't inspire confidence in the first place what with a paltry batting average of less than unity! But he had other plans for the bowlers. With still 16 required off 13 deliveries, he took everyone by surprise (including all of his own teammates) when he unleashed a cracker of a reverse sweep and guess what.. the ball only landed well past the ropes! Sixer! That lusty blow brought down the required equation to 10 runs from 2 overs with 2 wickets in hand. If this wasn't sufficient, 3 balls later the penultimate ninth wicket fell in the form of yours truly who got out to a full pitched swinging delivery. 83/9 - In came the gangly Ashish Ranka. 10 required from 9 balls. Last pair in the middle. Singles were being taken off every ball and they were cheered as if the batsmen in the crease were inching towards their triple centuries.. Last over and we still needed 8 runs to win. Every step towards the target made it look farther away. The first 4 balls produced 5 runs (1,1,2,1) and the equation read: 3 to win off 2 balls.. the entire team (even the players in the middle as revealed later) were hoping for a tie. The penultimate ball was pitched up to Aashish and he struck the ball and the ball stayed hit till it reached rolling towards the extra cover boundary.. Phew! The match was won with 1 wicket and 1 ball to spare..

It was like the calm before a storm but what followed it later was a storm of people charging towards the heroes of the day - Bala and Ranka. This was 'the' match and we were the first team to qualify for the second round. This is the match which will be written down in the almanacs of Willow Cup and people will look up to to this match for inspiration. After all it is said that when the going gets tough the tough get going and Marauders are tough enough!

Manager Profile 2009-10: P.Ramakrishnan, #21

Name?
P Ramakrishnan

Nickname?

Raama/Yelai/Kanna/****(censored & common 4 all marauders)

Where were you born?
Tuticorin, the "Pearl City"

Birthday?
May 17.

Batsman/Bowler/All-rounder?
All-rounder (see my pic 4 doubts)

Madras Marauders Debut - When and where?
As Player - Not yet, as i'm 100% unfit to equal a marauder's cricketing talents

As Manager - Fortunately, the 1st manager of Madras Marauders (they found me fit for this, i believe..)

Your Most Memorable Match?
Match against Spartans...coz NITC cricket witnessed a team in its history, whose 10th man could hit a spectacular cover drive for a FOUR, and 11th man could hit a REVERSE SWEEP SIX..

A game you would like to forget?
The one against Mavericks. We won it by a good team effort, but still it wasnt the way we intended to get through..The match showed us, what complacency could do...

What was your ambition when younger?
A successful entrepreneur...which is my aim even now..

Favourite Football Team?
Manchester united

Do you find any good captaincy material in the team for the future? If yes, who?
As a manager, I would suggest my choice to this after Willow cup 2010 victory party....But as for now, my choice for a captain would be a good, consistent all-rounder, ..and the team has developing all-rounders...lets wait...

Anything in your life so far that you regret having done or not done?
The big thing i regret, for not having done...Playing cricket. I just stopped at only loving it..

If you could invite 3 people, dead or alive, to dinner, who would they be and why?
My Dad
My Physics sir, Mr.Thomas
My beloved guru, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

Coz, they are helping me grow into a good human to my family and my society..

Describe yourself in 5 words.

Desiring for everything in life...

What’s the best book you ever read?
Aanandha alai - Jaggi Vasudev

If you could fly on a magic carpet, where would you go?
To the graceful, yogic, mystic world of Isha..

Funniest Moment on a Cricket Field?
I bat, baptist keeps the wicket and malindu bowls.. ha ha..

Best thing about Madras Marauders team?
The love, spirit, and hunger for cricket....

Player Profile 2009-10: A.Rajkumar, #46

Name?
Rajkumar Athimoolum.

Nickname?

Raju.

Where were you born?
Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Birthday?
May 17.

Batsman/Bowler/All-rounder?
All-rounder.

Madras Marauders Debut - When and where?
Madras Marauders Debut was against NeXI, where I played one of my memeroble innings which fetched me the opening spot of the team. It was played in Jan 2009.

Your Most Memorable Match?
My debut match against NeXI.

A game you would like to forget?
Match against Nodraves where we lost a thriller(almost won the match). Chasing 87 runs in 15 overs, we lost by 9 runs after a good start of 55 runs in 10 overs without a loss of wicket.

What was your ambition when younger?
To become a bank manger.

Favourite Football Team?
Our NITC team.

Do you find any good captaincy material in the team for the future? If yes, who?
Malindu Sandanyake.

Anything in your life so far that you regret having done or not done?
I should have not given away my wicket against Nodraves.

If you could invite 3 people, dead or alive, to dinner, who would they be and why?
My bests SURYA, DINESH KARTHIK and PRIETY ZINTA.

Describe yourself in 5 words.

dnt luv to....

What’s the best book you ever read?
Kungumam.

If you could fly on a magic carpet, where would you go?
To moon with my luv.

Funniest Moment on a Cricket Field?
When Opponents dance in Devgan's over.

Best thing about Madras Marauders team?
Extremely win luving team.... that I came to know when we were not talking frankly for a couple of weeks after losing to Nodraves.

Player Profile 2009-10: Raja C, #86

Name?

Raja C

Nickname?

Raja

Where were you born?
Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu.

Birthday?
January 16.

Batsman/Bowler/All-rounder?
Batsman

Madras Marauders Debut - When and where?
Against Maharashtra in hockey ground.

Your Most Memorable Match?
Scored 21* runs from 28 balls runs against Rajasthan.

A game you would like to forget?
Against Nod raves in the quarter final of the Willow Cup & loss against Zovinda n frnds in Nano cup final.

What was your ambition when younger?
Become an Engineer..

Favourite Football Team?
France

Do you find any good captaincy material in the team for the future? If yes, who?
I think Baptist is a good captain ,but at the same time, Balaji is inspirational captain ......

Anything in your life so far that you regret having done or not done?
A lot of things....

If you could invite 3 people, dead or alive, to dinner, who would they be and why?
My Mother
Father
&
A.P.J.Abdul Kalam

Describe yourself in 5 words.

Talkative

What’s the best book you ever read?
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri.

If you could fly on a magic carpet, where would you go?
Australia n Switzerland

Funniest Moment on a Cricket Field?
Not yet....

Best thing about Madras Marauders team?
Team Spirit n Unity

Player Profile 2009-10: Prashanth Baptist, #27 (Captain)

Name?
Prashanth Baptist.

Nickname?

Bapti.

Where were you born?
Aaspathiri.

Birthday?
August 27.

Batsman/Bowler/All-rounder?
hahah funny aaman AALL ROUNDER dhan ipo..

Madras Marauders Debut - When and where?
Adhu oru alagia nila kalam...

Your Most Memorable Match?
Against Nodraves though we lost WE SHOWED CHARACTER. They pisseed in their pants. Their dicks started shrinking. Sarithiratha maathi eludhuna match adhu..

A game you would like to forget?
Again the same match against NODRAVES. We deserved every bit to WIN...rather LOSE it..ironical rite?

What was your ambition when younger?
To play cricket for INDIA.. couldn't achieve it fully. Still I regret.

Favourite Football Team?
Chelsea, Spain.

Do you find any good captaincy material in the team for the future? If yes, who?
3rd yr: Balaji, Ajay
2nd yr: Malindu

Anything in your life so far that you regret having done or not done?
Having not done - NOT PLAYED CRICKET AT ITS HIGHEST LEVEL.
Having done - put on weight!

If you could invite 3 people, dead or alive, to dinner, who would they be and why?
Bradman, Sachin, Federer - Reason obvious to just ask them the secret for their unparalleled consistency in their area.

Describe yourself in 5 words.

UNIQUE and THE BEST. I think these 2 words are enough.

What’s the best book you ever read?
Kane and Abel - by Jeffrey Archer

If you could fly on a magic carpet, where would you go?
LORDS CRICKET GROUND.

Funniest Moment on a Cricket Field?
Not so far. May be one wen i got one my K****. Others had fun!

Best thing about Madras Marauders team?
ATTITUDE and THE WILL TO WIN.

Player Profile : S.Balaji, #10

Name?
Bala.

Nickname?

Used to have one - Pyro.

Where were you born?
US of the A.

Birthday?
Nov 6.

Batsman/Bowler/All-rounder?
Opening bowler.

Madras Marauders Debut - When and where?
Both Machans and MM - against Ghatti Babuas.

Your Most Memorable Match?
Vs Spartans in Willow Cup 2009 - the one I'll cherish forever.

A game you would like to forget?
Nodraves game in the quarterfinals.

What was your ambition when younger?
To open an innings for India with His Holiness!

Favourite Football Team?
Barca, Man Utd - keeps changing.

Do you find any good captaincy material in the team for the future? If yes, who?
If there is someone who has got all the qualities to lead the team from the front it has to be Malindu. With vital inputs from Raju, Raja and Gova, I believe the team's future is in safe hands.

Anything in your life so far that you regret having done or not done?
Regret not being able to play for any school or college teams. Managed to play for a TNCA 3rd division team for a while.. but as a full-time substitute!

If you could invite 3 people, dead or alive, to dinner, who would they be and why?
Tendulkar, AR Rahman and Dr.Kalam. Three wonderful human beings, more than anything else.

Describe yourself in 5 words.

To be human is not to know one's self - Says Swami Chinmayananda :P

What’s the best book you ever read?
Not Peebles for sure!

If you could fly on a magic carpet, where would you go?
Wherever Tendulkar is batting.

Funniest Moment on a Cricket Field?
Ajay's catastrophic collision with Abhinav and ofcourse those great 'barn buddy moments' with Malindu & Gova.

Best thing about Madras Marauders team?
The never-say-die attitude.

Player Profile : Malindu Sandanayake, #29

Name?
Malindu

Nickname?
Mali

Where were you born?
Sri lanka

Birthday?
December 29.

Batsman/Bowler/All-rounder?
All rounder

Madras Marauders Debut - When and where?
Before willow cup 2009 against NEXI

Your Most Memorable Match?
Match against mavericks where i became the man of the match by getting 2 wickets in 1 over n the day i got a hatrick against andra

A game you would like to forget?
Not specially. but the game against nodraves,where i didnt play that 1 cuz f the operation and MOST SADLY WE LOST THAT MATCH!

What was your ambition when younger?
To becme an aero engineer.

Favourite Football Team?
Liverpoool

Do you find any good captaincy material in the team for the future? If yes, who?
Yes, i think baptist is better n of course bala's capataincy is much inspiring.

Anything in your life so far that you regret having done or not done?
Not getting mechanical in NIT.but that was not my fault.

If you could invite 3 people, dead or alive, to dinner, who would they be and why?
My mother
Father
Girl friend... hey no need to explain that na!!!!

Describe yourself in 5 words.

Sleepish, hard working n thats it.

What’s the best book you ever read?

Adventure of Sherlock Holmes.

If you could fly on a magic carpet, where would you go?
To heaven.

Funniest Moment on a Cricket Field?
Crying out "barn buddy" with Govardan.

Best thing about Madras Marauders team?
Unity, enthusiasm, motovation among players, Team spirit.. born to win..

Player Profile 2009-10: R.Ajay Kaushik, #15

Name?
Ajay Kaushik.

Nickname?
Dude.

Where were you born?
Delhi.

Birthday?
July 15.

Batsman/Bowler/All-rounder?
All rounder.

Madras Marauders Debut - When and where?
Hockey ground during the match against the nexi's in S3 I think.

Your Most Memorable Match?
Has to be mavericks match. not due to some personal brilliance but to have realised as to what we people as a team can do.

A game you would like to forget?
I would very much want to forget the nodraves willow cup fixture . i think the whole team would.

What was your ambition when younger?
To be a forensic scientist. i cant be more polarized from my ambition now..

Favourite Football Team?
Chelsea.

Do you find any good captaincy material in the team for the future? If yes, who?
Yeah the team is brimming with leaders in their own rights.

Anything in your life so far that you regret having done or not done?
Landing up in the ECE department of NITC.

If you could invite 3 people, dead or alive, to dinner, who would they be and why?
1.) A R Rehman
2.) Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar
3.) Aamir Khan
If perfection is personified then it has to be this illustrious trio ( i rather avoided dead people cause that would be too much of a wishful thinking).

Describe yourself in 5 words
Pass.

What’s the best book you ever read?
Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

If you could fly on a magic carpet, where would you go?
Disneyland

Funniest Moment on a Cricket Field?
To see Gova and Bala have a go at each other.. :P

Best thing about Madras Marauders team?
Which other cricket team in college can boast of the same passion and pride for its brand of cricket?

Player Profile 2009-10: Raj Tilak, #31 (Vice-Captain)

Name?

Raj Tilak

Nickname?

Tilak

Where were you born?

Tirunelveli

Birthday?

August 31.

Batsman/Bowler/All-rounder?

Batsman.

Madras Marauders Debut - When and where?

Against nexis Jan 2009.. Machans debut was long back..

Your Most Memorable Match?

The match against Mallus (Mavericks) in the last willow cup....it was a nail-biting victory....

A game you would like to forget?

The quarterfinal match against Nodraves in willow cup 2008..

What was your ambition when younger?

My ambition was to become a famous cricketer but for which i have not put even 20% effort ...But now i just want to play a decent innings which would contribute to the team's victory...

Favourite Football Team?

I dont watch football!

Do you find any good captaincy material in the team for the future? If yes, who?

Hmm....Truly speaking,no captaincy is required for our team since all the team members show 100% commitment and extreme thirst for victory...But a captain has to be there to organize the team...and my opinion is that bala and ajay(immediate seniors) are versatile players who are capable to lead the team effeciently...I hope both of them would set an example for Captaincy and in fact they are the 2 pillars of our team..

Anything in your life so far that you regret having done or not done?

A lot of things....Again, the match against nodraves still makes me feel guilty...

If you could invite 3 people, dead or alive, to dinner, who would they be and why?

Sachin Tendulkar, Mark Waugh and Allan Donald.....i love the their game very much..

Describe yourself in 5 words.

a jovial person and I always want to make others happy..

What’s the best book you ever read?

5 point someone.

If you could fly on a magic carpet, where would you go?

Hmm...none other than my sweet home..

Best thing about Madras Marauders team?

Team spirit and encouragement...