Hyderabad: Jiji Irani Challenge Cup cricket tournament kicks off on Jan 11

Hyderabad: Jiji Irani Challenge Cup cricket tournament will be held in Hyderabad from January 11 to 15.

The tournament is played annually between Zoroastrians of Kolkata, Nagpur, Jamshedpur, Secunderabad/Hyderabad, and Surat. Played on a round-robin basis, the tournament is hosted by each center on rotation.

It was started in memory of the late Jiji Irani, the father of cricket in Vidarbha district in Maharashtra. A legendary figure, he played against Douglas Jardine and the MCC.

This Pentangular tournament has become a big event with the youth of all 5 cities participating. The aim is for the youth to meet, intermingle, and promote close camaraderie.

The tournament, which started nearly four decades ago, is played in memory of the late Jiji Irani, father of the late Dr. Jamshed J Irani, who conceptualized and supported the tournament. Initially, only Nagpur and Jamshedpur cricket teams played, but the tournament later included Secunderabad, Kolkata, and Surat.

Parsi interest in cricket goes back to the 1840s when Englishmen would play at Bombay Gymkhana in Mumbai. The Parsis founded the first very Indian cricket club – The Oriental Cricket Club, in Bombay in 1848, which was sponsored and funded by the Tatas and Wadias. The Parsi tour of England in 1886 was the first cricket tour of England by a team from India.

This tournament celebrates its 36th year and is being hosted by the Zoroastrian Club of Secunderabad and Hyderabad. Zoroastrians from other cities along with their families come down to attend the tournament. 3 teams are being accommodated in the Asrani Hotel, while the fourth is being put up in the heritage Parsi Dharamsala in Secunderabad.

A souvenir containing interesting features of the sporting and other activities of the community will be published and distributed. Events over 5 days with theme dinners every night. The President of the Zoroastrian Club, Bahman Karaka andCricket Convener MinooSiganporia are being ably assisted by the Vice President and members of the managing committee, committee members, and dozens of hard-working organizers and volunteers to ensure that the matches and celebrations go off smoothly and in style.

Matches of 30 overs per side are being organized at the D’Marc Cricket Academy grounds. The opening ceremony will be held on January 11. DSP Vamshi Reddy, who is a former cricket and hockey player will be the chief guest.

The first day’s matches will be played between Hyderabad and Surat, and Calcutta and Nagpur. A good-sized crowd is expected on all 5 days to cheer the different teams. Many of the teams have brought their spouses, children, and some cricket enthusiasts and supporters from their cities too. The atmosphere was one of bonhomie and good cheer.

On January 11, there will be a Hyderabad Theme dinner and Ghazal evening with typically Hyderabadi food served. The winners of the last Jiji Trophy which was held in Surat, were the Nagpur Team and runners-up Surat team. The hosts, Zoroastrian Club of Secunderabad and Hyderabad will be pulling out all stops with their breakfasts, lunches, tea, and snacks plus dinners.

“I’m eagerly looking forward to the 36th Jiji Irani Challenge Cup Cricket Tournament, a tradition that has been such a big part of my life for the past 29 years. This tournament isn’t just about cricket—it’s about everything it has given me. It shaped me as a sportsman, taught me discipline and teamwork, and even introduced me to my wife during one of the tours. Over the years, I’ve made friendships that feel more like family. Beyond the game, this tournament holds a special place in my heart as a Parsi. It’s a time when our community comes together, celebrating our shared roots, camaraderie, and the joy of being part of something bigger than ourselves. For me, it’s more than just a tournament—it’s a celebration of life, community, and everything good that cricket has brought into my world,” saidVarzavand Debara of Team Hyderabad.

There is always friendly substitution among the teams in case any of the teams do not have enough players from their city to make up the playing 11. This contributes much towards the close bonds between players of different teams.