In the bustling cricket grounds of Chennai, a remarkable sight unfolds regularly. While most people in their late fifties might come to drop off their children, 58-year-old G Ravichandran walks in with his son, not as a spectator, but to train himself. He is part of a growing and inspiring group of senior cricketers who actively participate in the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association's (TNCA) lower division leagues, challenging stiff joints and the notion that sport is only for the young.
The Unwavering Passion of Chennai's Veteran Players
This dedicated cohort includes individuals like 71-year-old S Madhavan, who bowls leg-breaks for the Madras University Union in the fifth division with the same cheerfulness he had as a schoolboy. His reason for playing is beautifully simple: “I like to play cricket.” Many of these men began their club cricket journeys when the city was still called 'Madras' and have never found a reason to leave. Some returned after retiring from full-time careers, while others were inspired to pick up the bat again after watching their peers and children play.
Madhavan observes a significant shift in the local cricketing culture. “Madras cricket and Chennai cricket are very different,” he notes. “Earlier, there was so much sportsmanship, but now everything is faster, more serious, with more competition, upgraded technologies and more money.” He jokes that with today's resources, he would have taken many more wickets in his youth. Now, he fully utilizes modern facilities like indoor nets and floodlights, appreciating the flexibility they offer compared to his playing days after college or office.
Leading by Example: Discipline and Longevity
Another stalwart, 67-year-old PS Raghavan, captains the Mylapore Recreation Club (MRC) ‘B’ team in the fifth division. Adhering to old-school discipline, he doesn't take a water break until the 50th over and smiles at the younger players needing a drink every few overs. His goal is clear and confident: “I want to play till I turn 75.”
This stubborn love for the game defines TJ Srinivasaraj's journey as well. The 55-year-old is a sixth-division all-rounder for Madras Fort League (MFL), bowling off-spin and batting in the middle order. Significantly, he also holds the position of president of the TNCA. While cricket was always his passion, from gully cricket to league matches, he once had to choose between his profession and his passion. “Making a living out of cricket was very difficult back then. Today, you can make a very good living from it,” he states.
Yet, even while building a successful business, Srinivasaraj never abandoned the game. “As long as my body lets me, I will play. Even with an injury, I’ll step onto the field...I just won’t tell anyone at home,” he says with a grin.
A Transformed Cricketing Landscape for All
This enduring passion, carried through generations, has quietly reshaped Tamil Nadu's cricketing scene. Srinivasaraj highlights the expansion: “Cricket in Chennai used to be limited to small clubs. Now, every area has academies, coaching centres and, most importantly, they have access to data and tech to improve their game.” This democratization has allowed professionals from diverse fields—including IT, bureaucracy, police, judiciary, and law—to continue playing the sport well into their twilight years.
The love for cricket flows in both directions between generations. Ravichandran, who juggles roles as an umpire, coach, and player, returned to the game after a 13-year gap, inspired by his son, R Ashwin, who now plays in the second division for Coromandel SC. “I was working in the pharmaceutical line for over 25 years, but when my son started playing again, I came back to coach. Then I met old peers, and returned to playing,” he explains. The sport, he adds, keeps his inner fire alive.
Between elegant cover drives and enthusiastic appeals, Chennai's senior cricketers are proving a powerful point: the second innings can be every bit as joyful and fulfilling as the first, if not more so. They are not just playing a game; they are living a timeless passion.
