In a homage to the late Vinod Pradhan, former President of the Sikkim Cricket Association, the inaugural ‘Lt Vinod Pradhan Memorial Tournament’ kicked off on March 3 at the esteemed Sikkim Cricket Ground in Mining. Organized by the Sikkim Cricket Association, this T20 tournament aims to commemorate Pradhan’s profound contributions to cricket in the region.The tournament features the participation of the top eight teams in the state, including Alpine Sporting Club, Black Eagles (SAP), Cricket Association of Tathangchen, Irises Cricket Club, Jorethang Brothers Cricket Club, Pakyong XI, Royal Daragaon Cricket Club, and Royal North Brothers.
Structured around a group stage with a round-robin format, each team is scheduled to play three matches, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi-finals. This setup promises a riveting total of 15 matches, showcasing the talent and spirit of cricket in Sikkim. Vinod Pradhan’s indelible legacy looms large over the tournament, serving as its guiding light. During his tenure as President of the Sikkim Cricket Association from 1994-95 until his untimely demise in 2002, Pradhan spearheaded a plethora of initiatives that propelled Sikkim cricket to unprecedented heights.
His visionary leadership saw the hosting of esteemed national tournaments such as the Vijay Merchant Trophy, Cooch Behar Trophy, and Col CL Nayudu Trophy in 1996-97. Beyond his administrative prowess, Pradhan was a cricketing icon, often drawing comparisons to the legendary Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee. His tireless efforts extended the reach of cricket beyond East Sikkim, notably leading to the establishment of the Cricket Association of Namchi in South Sikkim.
