The announcement of the ICC Cricket Awards by the International Cricket Council at the Hyatt Regency on Monday evening evoked a warm response from cricket greats. According to spin legend Bishen Singh Bedi, the awards should have been instituted decades back. “It would have been great for our generation that went somewhat unrecognised. It would have given us something to look back to with pride,” said Bedi. The awards will be given away at the Alexandra Palace, London, on September 7.
Seated next to ICC president Ehsan Mani, the showstealer of the evening was ICC CEO Malcolm Speed. “Living in the UK for the past four years has not just made me lose my Australian accent but I’ve also starting believing in ghosts after our meetings that were held in the Long Room at Lord’s,” he joked.
Besides cricket, the conversation at the do revolved around what one should wear to a dinner (sari or a halter) and favourite vacation destinations. Langkawi (Malaysia) seemed to be the hottest destination for the Capital’s swish set. It was the sun and sand that attracted cricketer-turned Cricket Today Editor Atul Wassan and his fashion designer wife Sonu for a vacation. Mount Shivalik marketing director Monish Bali and wife Alka, clad in a Satya Paul sari, besides designer duo Nikhil and Shantanu Mehra too have returned with a tan from Langkawi. The consensus was that the scenic surroundings, with the mountains on one side and the beach on the other, were mesmerising.
Olive’s A D Singh, on the other hand, preferred Amsterdam where his twin brother has shifted base. “We not only had fun but also helped him settle in,” said Singh. After Langkawi, Wassan had a near-death experience on a pilgrimage to Amarnath. “Going up to the shrine on horseback, our horse slipped on a steep incline. We almost fell into a gorge. In the nick of time I managed to jump off the horse and saved it from falling too,” he recalled.
Designer Nikhil Mehra was an avid cricketer in his Hans Raj College days, while brother Shantanu is passionate about golf. The duo is working on launching their prêt label Bounce next year. Anchor-actress Mandira Bedi spoke about how cricket had become a part of her life. “We needed awards for cricketers to celebrate the human spirit and the ICC has taken a great step forward,” said Mandira. Fleur Xavier, the stunning catwalk queen, came with boyfriend Gobind Singh Akoi of The Imperial. The two are likely to tie the knot soon. Model Sampada Inamdar was happy to play the hostess for the evening, making a pretty couple with ICC’s Global Sponsorship Manager Jamie Stewart, dapper in a black bandhgala.
It was Xavier, dressed in a black top and striped pants from Zara, who made the parting shot: “The only sport I watch is cricket and my all time favourite player is Mohammed Kaif. I’m keeping my fingers crossed hoping he’ll also win something at the awards.” We hope so too!
