Mangaluru: IPL-style gully cricket tournament in Bunder area!

Team Udayavani, Jan 13, 2025, 8:54 AM IST

Mangaluru: Playing cricket in narrow lanes is not uncommon, but imagine turning these casual games into an IPL-style league! That’s precisely what a group of youth from the port area near State Bank in Mangaluru has done, organizing a “Gully Cricket League” on a 100-meter stretch of road.

The youth from the Kandaka Cross Road area have been playing cricket in this lane for years due to the lack of nearby playgrounds. School and college students, as well as working professionals, used to gather in the evenings to play here. During the COVID-19 lockdown, they revived this tradition, leading to the birth of the Gully Cricket League, which is now in its fourth year.

Tournament Schedule

The tournament, which began on January 10, will continue until January 19. Each match is a four-over game, starting at 8:30 PM and concluding by 10:00 PM, with four matches scheduled per night.

IPL-Style Bidding

Player and team selection follows an IPL-style bidding process. Instead of money, players are chosen based on a points system. The league features seven teams, including a team from the local police station and four senior teams. All players are from the Kandaka area.

Unique Challenges

With buildings on both sides of the pitch, only straight hits can earn boundaries. A ball hitting designated parts of buildings counts for one run, while crossing the crease line earns runs through running. During the matches, local shopkeepers close their establishments to support the event, and alternative routes are arranged for commuters.

A Celebration of Unity

The league is organized in memory of Sarojini Pundalika Karkera, known for fostering harmony in the community. The event brings together people of all castes and religions, emphasizing unity. “Fostering harmony is our priority,” said Abdul Latif, a local corporator.

Cricket on Concrete

In this unique league, the concrete road becomes the pitch, the crossroad serves as the ground, and the surrounding buildings transform into spectator galleries. Floodlit matches attract spectators from far and wide, making it a true community celebration.

Translated version of Kannada article by Dinesh Ira