The cricket grounds of Lucknow come alive on weekends and public holidays — not with budding young players, but with seasoned professionals reclaiming their youthful passion for the sport.Doctors, govt officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, police officers, and administrators, most of them in their fifties or older — relive the cricketing dreams they once shelved in pursuit of their careers and responsibilities.Clad in colourful jerseys and brimming with enthusiasm, these “weekend warriors” return to the pitch not just for the love of the game, but for the joy, connection, and vitality it brings into their lives.Reviving A Dream Deferred: Many of these men once aspired to play competitive cricket, but life forced those ambitions into the background. Now, with time on their side and the fire still burning, they come together every weekend to participate in local leagues and tournaments that celebrate not only sport but also friendship and nostalgia.Gulrez Rizvi, a senior banker and organiser of the Legends Cricket League, says: “It’s not just about cricket but about stories, smiles, and spirit. We started with a tournament for players above 45. The enthusiasm was so strong that we later raised the age limit to 50. Six teams, each with 15 players aged 50 and above, now participate regularly.”“We formed five teams with squads of 16 players each. We’ve received requests from several other groups to join, but with limited resources, we can only accommodate a few for now,” he says.“The teams that participated were BABA XI, Khandan-e-Awadh, Cricket Buddies, Smash, and Old Sky Club. Over 150 senior cricketers are now active in the city. The league includes professionals from all walks of life including doctors, engineers, bankers, teachers, and officials from both govt and private sectors as well as several prominent business owners.” Rizvi adds.Format & Rules: The matches follow a 20-over format and include two ‘Super Subs’ (substitute players), offering both structure and flexibility. Each innings must feature a minimum of seven different bowlers, with each required to bowl at least two overs. Additionally, the batting order must be shuffled for every match, ensuring a different opening batter from each team in every game. All other rules remain consistent with standard cricket regulations.Rizvi points out that rules were introduced to encourage maximum participation and ensure equal involvement of all team members. The most important rule is that players should be 50+ years of age.“We made arrangements for live telecast of matches on social media platforms, which gets thousands of likes and shares,” he remarks.More Than Just A Game: For many, the weekend matches have evolved into a therapeutic ritual.Pyoosh Kusumwal, who retired from Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd, shares, “At this age, cricket is more than a hobby, it’s a therapy. It keeps us physically active, mentally alert, and emotionally fulfilled. You don’t need a gym, just a cricket kitbag with all the equipment and good company.”Kaid Johar, a 52-year-old businessman, reflects on the emotional value the game carries. “Every match takes me back to school and college days. We forget our age and become those carefree boys again. Cricket bridges our past with our present in the most beautiful way,” he says.Breaking Barriers, Building Bonds: Siddharth Bhutani, 65, an institute owner, says, “Weekend cricket has become a cherished tradition. Here, designations don’t matter — only passion and camaraderie work. It’s our way of staying socially and emotionally alive.” Sanjay Gupta, a 55-year-old police officer, sees it as a personal revival. “This is our second innings in life. Cricket gives us purpose beyond work. It reconnects us with old passions and forgotten joys.”Age Is Just A Number: Challenging the notion that sports are only for the young, these spirited players prove otherwise with every dive, boundary, and wicket. Yogendra Seth, an officer from UPSRTC, observes: “There’s a myth that age limits ability — we’re living proof to the contrary, we may be in our fifties or sixties, but we still play with full intensity. If anything, our appreciation for the game has only deepened.”Where Passion Meets Experience: These weekend fixtures are now a regular feature across various grounds in Lucknow, drawing not just players but their families too.The energy on the field is matched by the cheers from the sidelines.Richa Agarwal, whose father plays for one of the teams, shares, “Watching him play with such energy is heartwarming. He’s more excited for his weekend matches than we are for our holidays.”
