Christmas Polo Cup

After almost a year of Netflix, sweatpants and binge eating, the Atlantis of India is finally blessed with an epic polo season. The first tournament was the ‘Christmas Polo Cup.’

A nice windy day in the Southern coastal regions of Mumbai, with skyscrapers overlooking the turf, Mahalaxmi Racecourse was further

perfected by an enthralling match played between MD Polo Team and Mayfair Polo Team. From the admirable commentary by Riyhad R Kundanmal to the suspense the match built up, the star-studded event was breath-taking to say the least.

Polo, the game of kings as we know it, is a sport full of uncertainty. This was depicted moments before the bugle was blown symbolizing the start of the first chukka, when Simran Shergil met with an accident on the field. Fortunately to the audience’s relief, both the horse and the player were fine and resumed playing. This incident was the perfect trailer to convey that the sport is no dilly dally, the title of ‘the king of sports’ is well deserved, to all the first timers.

Soon after, the players and their horses strutted towards the grandstands with grace as the band played tunes bringing enthusiasm in every member of that wonderful evening. The players were introduced, and the aura became oh so nostalgic for all the polo fans. The National Anthem was played, filling everyone’s heart with patriotism and pride and then, after 1 year, 730 days, 1051200 minutes, the historic soul of Bombay finally rejoiced at the sound of the bugle and the long awaited ‘Christmas Polo Cup Final - 22’ began.

An Exciting Polo Final

The ball was thrown in by the umpire and there started the fight for the tiny, spherical piece of plastic which was tossed around

numerous times before the first goal was scored in favour of Mayfair Polo Team by Mitesh Mehta. The second goal was then scored by MD Polo Bringing the score to 1-1 1/2. The audience was on its’ toes the whole-time managing adrenaline which was then further increased as Mitesh Mehta single-handedly scored another goal. MD Polo caught up soon enough as Mr Rahul Dwarkadas scored by slicing the goal in two with an almost perfect run and brought back hope for the team.  The fight continued when Mitesh Mehta scored yet another goal, a hat-trick! The score was then increased in favour of Mayfair Polo.

Hearts of the MD Polo team skipped a beat when Mr. Anay Shah reached dangerously close to the goal post but, fortunately for them, the shots missed the mark by inches every one of the three times.

In the fourth and last chukka, the score came up to 5- 3 ½ in favour of Mayfair Polo and they took home the Christmas Polo Cup 2022 with tremendous joy. Smiles were plastered on their faces and the celebration was enough to make the saddest feel jolly and joyous. MD Polo, although lost the finals, played exceptionally well throughout the tournament, and claimed their well-deserved title of ‘first runners up.’

The adrenaline felt, cannot be explained in words. The experience, simply too good to miss out on. If you missed it, well not to worry! We hope to see you on the 30^th for yet another engrossing final.

An evening with polo and wine. What more can one ask for?