Pratik Bijlani –
The ATPI-Marex Indian Maritime Premier League (IMPL) Box Cricket Tournament 2024 made a triumphant return for its third edition, bringing together maritime professionals from across India in a joyous celebration of sports, friendship, and industry unity. Now a flagship event for the maritime sector, the tournament took place on December 14-15 at The Celebrations Sports Club in Andheri, Mumbai, featuring a record 38 teams and 450 players competing fiercely over two days on four turfs.
The tournament got off to a thrilling start with a grand inauguration ceremony, where Capt Kamal Chadha, MD of Marex Media, was joined by Mr Manan Oberai, Head of Manning at Zodiac Maritime India, and Mr Subrat Mukherjee, Director (Manning), Dockendale Ship Management. Together, they released national tri-colour balloons, setting the tone for a vibrant and patriotic tournament. Capt Chadha addressed the energetic crowd, expressing his delight “We are really happy to see 38 teams over here, and this is a record for us because before that we’ve only had fewer teams.” His statement reflected the overwhelming success of the event, which surpassed all previous editions.
Mr Mukherjee praised the impeccable organization and vision behind IMPL, stating, “I wish Captain Chadha and team Marex a fantastic event ahead. Who have done a doyen of service; I would say that, by organizing this continuously for the last three years.” His words emphasized the league’s growing significance as a unifying platform for the maritime community.
The tournament was marked by intense competition as the 38 teams, split into 10 groups, clashed in the group stages over the course of two days. Established players like MMS Maritime Pvt Ltd, Suntech Ship Management, Seaspan Crew Management, and Atlantas Group stole the show, demonstrating exceptional skill, clever strategy, and seamless teamwork. As the competition narrowed down to the semi-finals, four worthy teams emerged, setting the stage for a thrilling finale. MMS Maritime dominated Atlantas Group with a convincing 50-run win, while Suntech Ship Management narrowly edged out Seaspan Crew Management in a nail-biting match.
In a thrilling third-place playoff, Atlantas Group emerged victorious, defeating Anglo Eastern Maritime Services by a convincing eight-wicket margin to claim the 2nd Runner-Up spot.
The highly anticipated final match pitted MMS Maritime Pvt Ltd against Suntech Ship Management in a nail-biting contest. MMS Maritime’s batsmen laid the foundation for a strong total, which was expertly backed by a disciplined bowling attack that kept Suntech under constant pressure throughout the chase. Ultimately, MMS Maritime’s determination and poise paid off, as they claimed the championship with a convincing 35-run victory. In the post-match interview, MMS Maritime’s captain, Mr. Samadhan, revealed the team’s straightforward yet effective approach, stating, “My message to the team was simple: give it your all, and everything else will fall into place.”
Although Suntech Ship Management fell short of the championship title, their performance was a testament to their unwavering dedication and perseverance. Captain Mr. Yogesh embodied the team’s unrelenting spirit, saying, “We’ll start preparing for next season immediately, and I’m confident that we’ll come back stronger and lift the trophy next time.” His words captured the essence of the maritime professionals’ resilience and commitment to excellence.
The IMPL Season 3 was a testament to the power of unity, sportsmanship, and collaboration, transcending mere competition to become a celebration of camaraderie and shared passion. Several players stood out for their exceptional performances, including Mr. Aniket More from Mumbai Mariners Cricket Club, who amassed an impressive 171 runs in just three matches, and Ms. Rina Pawar from Seaspan Crew Management, who demonstrated remarkable all-round skills with both bat and catches. Additionally, Mr. Janardhan from Suntech Ship Management received special recognition for his outstanding achievements, claiming the titles of Best Catcher (Male) and Best Bowler (Male).
The IMPL 2024 tournament came to a close with MMS Maritime Pvt Ltd emerging as the champion, Suntech Ship Management securing the 1st Runner-Up position, and Atlantas Group claiming the 2nd Runner-Up spot. The league had achieved its goal of bringing the maritime industry together in a vibrant and informal setting, forging connections that would last long after the cricket field had fallen silent. As the excitement of the tournament faded, one thing was clear: IMPL had once again proven itself to be a ground-breaking event, celebrating the passion, unity, and unwavering spirit of India’s maritime community.
Marex Media