A Ranji Trophy match on the Mananchira Ground? Impossible, and some may even laugh it off. But, back in the days Ranji Trophy matches were played on the ground, not only cricket but other sporting events too.
Dr N Vasudevan Thirumulpad, 68, a former Ranji player, reminisces the old days when he made his debut against Madras in the 1968-69 Ranji season. Ever since the cricket buffs voiced for a full-fledged cricket ground in the city, Thirumulpad recollects the glory attained by Mananchira Ground.
It was during his MBBS studies at the Kozhikode Medical College that Thirumalpad, hailing from Nilambur, was selected to the Kerala Ranji Team. “At that time Mananchira Maidan was the centre of all activities, whether it was cricket or other sports. Our match was against Madras. Test players K R Rajagopal, S Venkataraghavan and Balaji Rao played for Madras while we were under the team lead by Balan Pandit,” recollects Thirumulpad.
“Mananchira ground was used for all purpose at the time, even the inter-district league matches. Four days before the match the Ayyappan Vilakku was held here. After setting up a ground at Perinthalmanna, the venue for cricket matches was shifted from Mananchira,” he said.At the time, Kerala Cricket was in its infancy and Madras beat us by an innings and 93 runs. Vasudevan Thirumulpad bowled seven overs, however he took no wickets.
“Since I was studying here I had no money to attend the matches, as players had to spend from their pockets at the time,” he said.
“I also played for the junior state team. During the training camp at Thiruvananthapuram we used to sleep on benches since there was no accommodation facility,” Thirumulpad recollected. He hailed the decision by the Kerala Cricket Association to maintain the Corporation Stadium for national tournaments, as there is no fullfledged ground in the city. “Kerala is improving its standing in cricket and I am very glad to see that. At this juncture we need a good stadium to nurture more national players,” he said.
Vasudevan Thirumulpad, an ENT specialist, who retired as the Superintendent from the Nilambur Taluk Hospital was in the city to receive the gratis, instituted by KCA for veteran Ranji players.
