Vijay CC have become the TNCA senior division champions after a gap of five years. The India Cements team reclaimed the Palayampatti Shield by getting the better of Globe Trotters in the final at the MAC on Saturday.

The most exciting point of the contest was, of course, former India captain Rahul Dravid turning out for Vijay CC in the title-round.

Nonetheless, there were a couple of youngsters from either team who stole the limelight with commendable performances.

Opening batsman B. Aparajith and speedster Aswin Crist (both from Vijay CC) were the most promising of the lot.

And it didn’t come as a surprise when the legend had a word of praise for the young guns. “There were a couple of talented young cricketers on the park.

Aparajith and Crist, in particular, were outstanding. For 18-year-olds, they showcased a lot of promise. The duo have their best days ahead of them,” said Dravid.

The third highest run-getter in Tests also underlined the fact that the current crop of youngsters enjoyed a lot more advantages and urged them to use the facilities to become better players.

“The teenagers seem a lot more matured cricketers these days. There is a lot more exposure and the competition is only getting tougher, it’s altogether a different dynamic now. I would like to believe that it was simpler back then (when I was 18),” added Dravid.

Upon hearing that Dravid had applauded their (Aparajith and Crist) show, the duo were united in thanking the batting icon.

“To hear such a great cricketer like Rahul Dravid praising us was a proud moment. It would only motivate us to do better. We shall treasure this compliment forever,” they said.

Aparajith, who scored a title-winning 115 in the first-innings, said his knock couldn’t have come at a better time. “Contributing in my team’s victory is always important to me but to have registered the three-figure mark in the final was something special.

The wicket had a bit for the speedsters in the early hours of the opening day. The key was to see off the initial period and play a waiting game. The strip, no doubt, was getting slower as the game progressed,” said Aparajith.

The Tamil Nadu Ranji all-rounder couldn’t thank Dravid enough for his guidance. “His presence itself was an inspiration for the team to give it their best shot. With a legend in our line-up, the atmosphere in the dressing room was upbeat.

Though I was unlucky not to bat alongside my idol (Dravid), I shall always cherish the way he guided me with important tips during the lunch break. At the end of day’s play, Dravid’s appreciation was the icing on the cake,” he added.

Meanwhile, Crist who did not have a fruitful season leading up to the final, bowled a magical new-ball spell to break Globe Trotters’ back.

Picking up three top-order wickets in his opening burst, Crist came back to remove the dangerous S. Sriram. “My job was to put the ball in the right areas and make the opponents play.

We had chalked out a plan to leave the offside cordon open while enticing the batsmen into playing the drive.

I am happy that the strategy worked. I was confident of a good show here. These returns are extremely important and I am sure they would hold me in good stead for the next season,” he noted.

Following his skipper R. Ashwin’s instructions to the letter, the MRF-Pace Foundation trainee bamboozled the opponents with his lethal out-swingers.

“The key was to hit the right length and not to get desperate for wickets. I am thankful that Ashwin showed a lot of faith in me and kept motivating all the time.

My best moment of the final was when Dravid took a catch off my bowling. For me, it was an euphoric moment,” added Crist.