Vinoo Mankad’s statue, an historic cricket bungalow, and some tales from Jamnagar

By K.R. Nayar in Jamnagar

Jamnagar is known as the ‘Oil City’ of India. It the home to the Essar Oil Refinery and Reliance Industries’ largest Oil Refining and Petrochemical Complex. For a sports lover, especially cricket fans, it is the birth place of top cricketers like Vinoo Mankad and Ravindra Jadeja.  Interesingly, two of India’s great cricket competitions, the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy are named in memory of the Princes of Jamnagar – Ranjitsinhji and Duleepsinhji.

 

G Force Academy boys in front of the Cricket Bungalow in Jamnagar 

A statue of the legendary Indian left-arm bowler, Vinoo Mankad, in action, at a crowded roundabout in the city catches everyone’s attention. G Force Academy’s tour match was held on the ground close to that roundabout. Facing the ground is an old bungalow known as the ‘Cricket Bungalow’, which is the ground’s pavilion. As one walks in to the ground, one only hears the sound of the bat hitting the ball. This is because the ground is surrounded by practice net areas and hundreds of boys and girls can be seen training everywhere.

 

The statue of Vinoo Mankad at a roundabout in Jamnagar  

G Force boys played against the Jamnagar team on this big ground.  Cricket Bungalow’s pavilion is called Ajit Singhji pavilion and was constructed in 1908 during the reign of Ranjit Singhji on whose name India’s biggest domestic tournament - the Ranji Trophy- is held.  Ranjit Singhji was one of the finest batsmen of his era.  Another player who grew up playing on this ground includes India’s allrounder Ravindra Jadeja.

 

Wall plaque at the Cricket Bungalow in Jamnagar 

Many other great cricketers have also walked out to bat from this pavilion. On Thursday, December 22, G Force players too walked out of this pavilion to perform on this ground. Two 20-over matches were played against Jamnagar.

 

Vinoo Mankad was an opening batsman and a slow left-arm spinner. He played in 44 Test matches for India between 1946 and 1959. His record opening partnership of 413 with Pankaj Roy in 1956 stayed on for 56 years. Mankad is said to have ran out a batsman who was backing up at non-strikers end, and from then on that act came to be known as ‘Mankading.’ Mankad passed away in 1978 and in June 2021 he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. His son Ashok Mankad played for India while his other son Rahul Mankad played for Mumbai and in many first class matches.

 

Rahul Mankad with Vinoo Mankad's ICC Hall of Fame cap in Dubai 

Rahul Mankad lived in Dubai till he passed away on March 30, 2022. I was fortunate to have met him at his Dubai home where he proudly showed me his father’s ICC Hall of Fame cap. A street near the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has also been named after Vinoo Mankad.

Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium's resemblance to Lord's cricket ground 

On the way back from Jamnagar, Gopal Jasapara along with trainer Deepak KC and myself stopped at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium to have a glimpse of the Maharashtra versus Saurashtra Ranji Trophy match. The Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium’s stands resembles the Lord’s Cricket Ground.  

 

Action at the Innovative School ground 

On day four, G Force played matches in Jamnagar as well as at the University ground and Innovative School ground in Rajkot. In the University ground match, G Force Academy Under-16 team posted a whopping 230 for 4 in 20 overs through Ayush Rao’s knock of 78 off 38 balls with 15 boundaries.  Wicketkeper batsman Dhwanit hit 43 and retired. Chasing the score, Race Course Cricket Academy got bowled out for 68 in 14.1 overs. But the G Force team lost to Shiv Cricket Academy that scored 185 and restricted G Force to 138 runs. G Force lost the match by 49 runs. In another match, Shiv Cricket Academy scored 151 and restricted G Force to 91 runs. GForce lost that match by 60 runs.

G Force boys travel to the venues by coach  

In Jamnagar. G Force restricted Jamnagar District Cricket Association to 109 for 5 in 20 overs with Jugal and Natik taking two wickets each. G Force reached the target in 14 overs losing two wickets. Aditya Ramesh cracked 50 runs while Neil Siddharth scored 30. In the second match, G Force posted 147 for 9 in 20 overs through Aryan's 28 and Aditya's 18 runs. Jamnagar District Cricket Association got restricted to 84 for 9 in 20 overs with Jugal taking two wickets.