Rajajinagar cricketers dreaming big after fairytale win

Players looking to get back into the reckoning for State selection

Last week, when Rajajinagar Cricketers won the KSCA (Group I) first division competition and took home the Sir Mirza Ismail Shield, it was the unlikeliest of champions. It had gained promotion into the top division just three years ago and had a relatively young and inexperienced team. But the side’s performances through the season belied its status as it won 10 out of 11 matches, that included stunning wins over heavyweight outfits such as Swastic Union CC (1 & 2) and Social Cricketers. “No one had any expectations from us,” said skipper Nihal Ullal, 28. “Myself, Kranthi Kumar and H.S. Sharath were the only senior cricketers and many hadn’t played for even the State u-23 team. But we won 10 out of 11 games, a difficult record to beat. We fought through all situations and surprised a lot of big teams. Now everyone knows we are champions and we have to live up to it.”