The Aditya Birla Polo Cup

Has any match ever packed more match into a match? what a ride! Well, the Aditya Birla cup was the definition of polo in its glory. Some of the most well-known and polished players from across the globe put their hands together and gave us the pleasure of witnessing arguably the most enthralling and exciting final of the season. Polo being the pinnacle of equestrian sports, convinced even the vice president and governor to lose themselves in the sorcery. The match was played between Madon Polo and the Dynamix achievers Polo team. It was quite literally a match full of fallen sticks and broken mallets. The commentator of the evening was our all-time favorite, Riyadh Kundalman.

The chief guests were commemorated, and the band graciously played our national anthem bringing everyone together at a stand still appreciating our motherland and, the ball was thrown into the field by the vice president of India, Mr Jagdeep Dhankar, and once again a match full of ups and downs, chills and thrills was commenced. Only a few minutes into the first chukka, a penalty was awarded in favour of Dynamix achievers. Chris McKenzie teed the ball and on a collected canter scored a goal right through the goal post. Soon enough, Simran Shergil, a 5-goal player scored a goal in favour of Madon polo, neutralizing the score. But the young South African, Chris McKenzie was in no mood to let his raw talent go unnoticed. A long shot and the red flag went up. Just when Madon polo thought they could release their breath, Shamsher Ali or Chamma as we know him, scored an exceptional goal bringing the score to 3-1 in favour of Dynamix achievers.

Hardly 10 minutes into the next chukka, the local hero, Shamsher Ali scored yet another goal followed by a penalty in favor of Dynamix Achievers. Chris McKenzie, once again hit a precise flyer right through the goal mouth. Moments later, the spectators espied Chris gliding past the horses to score yet another goal bringing the score to 6-1 still in favour of Dynamix Achievers. The first penalty against the achievers followed. Dhruv Pal Godara, from Madon Polo hit a beautiful shot slicing the goal mouth in half, bringing the score to 6-2. Soon after a spot penalty against Madon polo was granted. Chris McKenzie hit a long shot which was picked up timely by none other than Shamsher Ali and did the red flag go up? Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it very well did! After all, years, and years of hard work leads to such joyous triumph. The score was now 7-2 in favour of the Dynamix Achievers.

The third chukka commenced and yet another penalty was granted in favour of Madon Polo. Dhruv Pal, once again hit an articulately

thought out long shot right through the goal post causing the red flag to go up once again. This was followed by a goal by Chris McKenzie. A gallant fightback was seen by Madon polo when Saleem Azmi scored a goal. However, the limelight was stolen by Shamsheer Ail, rather quickly, as he hit a backhand which was ineluctable to not praise.

It is fair to say that the 4^th chukka was when Madon polo bounced back in quite some style. Simran Shergil scored an extremely well

thought out goal.Two penalties were granted in favor of Madon Polo and Dhruv Pal Godara took full advantage of the scenario and scored two staid yet commendable goals bringing the score to 7-9 and just a tick later, to Madon Polo’s dismay, the bugle was blown, and the final chukka came to an end. The Dynamix Achievers cantered with pride as they were the new holders of the Aditya Birla Cup. The audiences’ waves of appreciation turned into a tsunami as they looked back upon the adrenaline filled evening. After dismounting, the only factor evident between the two teams was esprit de corps, a heart-warming sight,indeed. The match, or polo in general has worked as enchanting, exhilarating exotica on a scale as gigantic as the marvel universe but with the eccentricities and audacity quadrupled. The cherry on top of the whole evening was the high tea conducted with scrumptious food, unlimited glamour and the jolly touch of the whole world rejoicing polo, the game of kings in its country of origin.