30th Jan, 2010

Hungama Premier League Tournament (HPL)

HPL, Hungama’s very own cricket tournament, a rolling trophy, even more exciting and titillating than the IPL.

The HPL was one of the most anticipated events and the excitement was at its peak throughout the week for the players as well as the supporters.

There were 8 teams in all, with very innovative names like: a) Tech Warriors (Technology), b) White House Bulls (Digital / Media / Consumer Business / Marketing / Gaming), c) 13 Idiots (Finance / MIS / Event & Promotions), d) Cheetah Fighters (Production), e) Gyarah Kaminey (Bollywood Hungama / Admin / HR), f) Kreative Kings (Creative), g) Iconic Idiots (Mobile Domestic & International), and h) Night Heroes (Production / SAAVN).

The tournament was a knockout one, wherein the 1st round all teams played each other, and whoever survived the game went on to the next round which were the semi-final matches. Draws for the first round were picked via chits.

Post the first knockout round, the teams which proceeded to the semi-finals were 1) White House Bulls, 2) Iconic Idiots, 3) Gyarah Kaminey and 4) Cheetah Fighters. However, it was the end of the road for White House Bulls & Iconic Idiots as they were beaten by their worthy opponents. The two teams that proceeded to the finals were Gyarah Kaminey and Cheetah Fighters.

As the finals progressed, one could not tell who would win it, but in the end, Gyarah Kaminey led by Shamsher Khan, emerged as the victors. Cheetah Fighters….so close and yet so far from victory….Better luck next time, you were tough opponents and gave Gyarah Kaminey a run for their money... Trophies for the winners were awarded by Savio Joseph. The best batsman and bowler trophies were awarded to Dipesh Shinde (Cheetah Fighters) and Pankaj Shelar (Gyarah Kaminey) respectively. This year the rolling trophy stays with Gyarah Kaminey, let’s see what next year brings us.

Three cheers for Gyarah Kaminey:

• Shamsher Khan
• Zoheb Sayyed
• Shadaab Khan
• Nadeem Kazi
• Darshan Wani
• Parvez Lalani
• Arvind Khadiye
• Pankaj Shelar
• Vidyadhar Misal
• Dilip Manjrekar
• Manoj Joshi
• Vishnu Gade
• Faridoon Shahryar