– Designed, Curated and Edited by Article 19
From Grief to Legacy: Fourteen Years of Memory and Cricket
Fourteen years ago, on the evening of September 11, 2011, the Sangam Grounds witnessed the beginning of a tradition. The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences came together to host the very first Prem Ranjan Memorial Trophy Cricket Tournament, a tribute to Prem Ranjan, a fourth-year MA student whose untimely passing in April that year had left the department in grief.
As many recollect, Prem was a quiet student who was a passionate cricketer at heart, the spirited captain of Tamraparani Hostel, and a friend remembered for his love of the game. It was his batchmates, HS07, who first conceived the idea of honouring him through cricket. What started as their act of remembrance soon became an annual event, etched into the department’s memory.
From that first evening in 2011 to the present day, the tournament has grown into a legacy. In 2025, the 13th edition was held from September 4th to 7th, a continuing celebration of both cricket and the enduring memory of Prem Ranjan.
Launched with a press conference, and a spirited faculty–student clash, the tournament brought together teams with deep-rooted memories of the tournament as well as the freshers in a series of gripping matches. Over four days, the ground witnessed tight overs, strategic play, and moments of quiet brilliance that defined the competition. The finale saw HS24 edge past the PhD team to lift the trophy. The season concluded with an all-women’s match, where HS21 All Stars emerged winners.
HuSSLe Begins
HuSSLe 2025 marks a turning point for the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences—a first-of-its-kind comprehensive sports league envisioned and driven entirely by students. For the first time, all departmental sporting events, from cricket and football to chess and frisbee, come together under one vibrant banner. More than a calendar of competitions, HuSSLe is about spirit: fostering camaraderie among students, faculty, and alumni, celebrating inclusivity, and carrying forward cherished traditions like the Prem Ranjan Memorial Trophy.
Setting the Stage: Pre-Tournament Press Meet
The Prem Ranjan Memorial Cricket Tournament 2025 was launched with a press conference and trophy reveal at the Godavari Hostel Common Room on Wednesday, 27th August. The event, hosted by Article 19, opened with a welcome by Joseph Kumar, who moderated the proceedings. Department Secretary Aswitha then unveiled the tournament trophy. The five team captains, Usha (PhD), Santhosh Mohan (HS21), Santhosh Satyala (HS22), Tushar (HS24), and Akhil (HS25), spoke about their teams’ preparations, their confidence in their players, and the spirit of friendly rivalry that defines the event.
Faculty vs Students: A Spirited Start
Matches on Day 1 commenced with an engaging opening match between faculty and students. Professors Anup Kumar Bhandari, Joe Thomas, and Paras Sachdeva actively participated, demonstrating commendable sportsmanship throughout the game. The match drew an enthusiastic crowd, who appreciated the energy, strategy, and competitive spirit on display. The faculty team ultimately secured victory in this spirited encounter, and the professors were presented with mementos in recognition of their participation and contribution to the event.
HS24: The Champ
-Joseph Kumar
HS24 was a battalion of skillful players who came to the ground with a sharp vision and well-prepared plan. Under the captaincy of Tushar Nawani and the rich experience of the previous year tournament, the team entered the field with a renewed strategy and sheer confidence. In the most dramatic, barest of margin nail-biting final in the history of the Prem Ranjan tournament, HS24 lifted the biggest prize of the department. But their road to glory was far from easy.
Their campaign began against the new juniors, HS25, with Gaurav smashing the ball across Sangam and Akansha turning the momentum with fiery batting. Even with Tushar Nawani’s hamstring setback, HS24’s pace duo Deepjyothi (DJ) and Manik (Basha), along with Rithik’s golden arm wickets and Akansha’s precise yorkers, crushed the juniors in style. Next came HS22. Rithik’s magic broke the spell of Santosh’s typical destruction. Gaurav and Tushar led Kohli-Rohit style masterful chase, while Sanay’s measured innings provided the perfect support, hunting down 154 runs in just 11 overs.
HS21 posed challenges, but DJ and Basha tore through the top order. Abhinov, the wicketkeeper-batter was everywhere, and runs dried up. Akansha squeezed the middle overs and HS21 could muster only 111. Gaurav and Sanay calmly sealed the victory in 12 overs, despite early loss of Tushar and Naseema’s rocket spin. Already through to the finals, HS24 faced PhD next—a must-win for PhD. HS24 stumbled to just 78, which PhD chased in 7 overs. HS24, true to their champion mindset, erased this blip from memory instantly. Their eyes were already on the final.
Triumph Under the Night Sky: Story of the Unbelievable Final Match
-Joseph Kumar
The big day arrived: the final battle between HS24 and PhD. It was nothing short of an edge-of-the-seat match. Bowling first, HS24 came out firing, with Deepjyothi (DJ) and Manik (Basha) taking early strikes and sharp catches sticking. When PhD fought back, it was Captain Nawani’s clutch bowling that reined them in. PhD set 158, a dangerous target under the setting sun and against HS24’s ruthless fearsome foursome.
The chase began cautiously. Sanjay and Tushar treated it like a 50-over game, refusing to expose new batters to hostile conditions. But soon, they realized the rate was slipping. Tushar accelerated, but Sanjay fell just short, and in walked Gaurav.
The real contest began: 100 runs needed in 7 overs. PhD built a formidable wall around the Sangam ground, cutting off every boundary attempt. Then came heartbreak—Praveen plucked a stunner to dismiss Gaurav. HS24 now needed 62 off 18. The dream seemed gone. Manvinder, the unknown strategic debutant, was sent in, but a thick edge and a catch sent him back to the pavilion.
But HS24’s faith didn’t waver. Arun Kumar walked in, situation forged by pressure and fire, and smashed a six almost immediately, reminding PhD that HS24 wasn’t done. Another massive six off the last ball of the 14th over—arguably the shot of the tournament—kept the flame alive. The equation was still brutal: 33 needed off the final over. The HS24 crowd fell silent, as it seemed nearly impossible in the night sky.
But there was only one man who still believed—Tushar Nawani.
1st ball: 2 runs
2nd ball: SIX.
3rd ball: SIX.
4th ball: SIX.
5th ball: SIX.
Now, 7 runs were needed off the final delivery, with a wide being bowled. The crowd held its breath. Time slowed. Tushar steadied himself as champion-hearted Shania charged in with her final delivery. The ground fell silent.
SIXXXX!
Tushar Nawani—remember the name. “DHO NaaaaawNI!” finished in style. HS24 lifted the Prem Ranjan Cup in their final year, led by their captain who delivered under the night sky.
The night of HS24’s triumph was pure ecstasy. Sangam was alive with the roar of their batchmates, who had cheered relentlessly throughout the tournament, their voices carrying the collective heartbeat of a team that refused to give up. Every wild cricketing dream a kid ever imagined came alive that night. HS24 faced the toughest tests, yet their criminally underrated squad turned disbelief into reality. To an ordinary soul, it is impossible to fathom the dreams Tushar lived that night—he was living the wildest dreams of every cricket dreamer ever.
The PhD Warriors
-Joseph Kumar
The most ridiculous yet fundamental rule in sports is that there always has to be a winner and a loser. But the greatness of a true cricket fan lies in the ability to reject this so-called sacred rule, because not every effort receives what it truly deserves. As a cricket fan, I have never felt this rule needed to be broken more than on September 7, when a group of warriors from PhD poured their hearts onto the Sangam grounds. Despite doing everything right, they were denied victory by this rule. True champions are not only those who win, but those for whom cricket itself wins—and without a doubt, PhD, that night, cricket won for you.
After being runners-up last year, the PhD squad welcomed many new additions: Praveen, Vishnu, Shania, Majidh, and Ram. Their bowling resembled the fearsome foursome of the West Indies in the 1980s, and had a batting line up that can bat till number 9.
PhD began their journey against the freshers, HS25. Put to bat first, captain Usha led the innings, with fireworks from Libin and 34-year-young debutant Praveen. After scoring 120 runs, their bowlers dismantled HS25 for 77. Ram’s deadly Yorkers, and spinner Shania giving nothing away. Next came HS22. On that sunny Saturday, the sky, Aakash scored a brilliant 70, joined by Praveen with 62, putting up a 130-run opening stand. They then faced Santosh’s destructive batting, taking every ball to boundary. But Ram’s precise bowling picked him off, and spinners Usha and Shania defended 21 runs in the final three overs to secure the win.
The same evening, PhD faced HS24 and restricted them to just 78 runs. Majidh Kumble, usually a spinner, displayed his batting prowess alongside Khentse, chasing the target in under 7 overs. Against HS21, PhD batted first, with Vishnu showing glimpses of his inner Gayle. Pradeep and Debranjan playing spectacular strokes to set a target of 151. Tight bowling held off HS21’s Santosh and Himanshu, confirming PhD’s spot in the final.
In the final, PhD batted first. Akash, who had been instrumental over the last three seasons, had one last opportunity to clinch the trophy. He began with absolute fire, but soon PhD lost quick wickets, with Praveen, Deb, Akash, and Usha departing early. But special occasions like the finals bring special players. Walking in, perhaps for one of the most important innings of his illustrious career, was the boy from HS16—now in his PhD jersey—seeking to end the curse. Joining him was Vishnu, the destructive “Gayle-Yuvi”. Their unbeaten 100+ partnership powered PhD to a massive 159.
Then came the bowling: vintage PhD. Praveen “Anderson,” Ram “McGrath,” Akash “Flintoff,” Libin “Pollock,” and Majid “Kumble” gave away nothing, suffocating the HS24 batters. But HS24 is never an easy side. Tushar, Sanjay, and Gaurav quickly impressed. In the end, it was Tushar’s clutch innings that snatched the match and the trophy away from PhD.
PhD is nevertheless a champion, and they will definitely come back stronger.
HS25 – The Freshers Who Left a Spark
-Santosh Satyala
HS25, the freshers, left a sparkling impression on all batches and fought bravely to bag the Bronze Medal in their debut tournament. All their matches were exciting. They started with HS24 in a nail-biting thriller—the tournament opener. Chasing 54 off 24 balls, rain interrupted play, but they later brought it down to 34 off 12. Akansha delivered the final punch with the crucial wicket of Piyush, who had been smacking the ball around and could have taken HS25 over the line.
Next, they secured an easy victory against HS21 when Tamanna Chahal announced herself with 3 brilliant wickets for 17 runs, sending back key players Diwakar, Himanshu, and Asha. Against PhD, HS25 showcased excellent fielding and catching, restricting the veterans to 120 runs, though they later crumbled to the bowling attack, proving they were a team to watch. In their league clash with HS22, Gaurav Singh and Lokeshwar stood tall with the bat, leaving little for the bowling lineup, while Kanishk Rathod delivered brilliant bowling to clean up the top order. HS25 ended the league stage on a winning note.
In the Bronze Medal match against HS22, HS25 did not relax. Choosing to bowl first, their three bowling stars—Kanishk (2 wickets), Gaurav Singh (3), and Tamanna (3)—dominated, with Tamanna bowling her most economical spell of the tournament and claiming the Purple Cap. Chasing 155, a new name emerged: Rajasekhar Madiga, who scored 76 off 29 balls, hitting 9 sixes, and, in partnership with Gaurav Singh, secured the Bronze Medal.
HS25 proved to be an exciting, talented, and highly promising team in the tournament.
HS21’s Last Battle: Grit, Memories, and the Never-Give-Up Spirit
-Joseph Kumar
HS21, the team that carries a million emotions on their sleeve every time they step onto the Sangam grounds. Draped in blue and restored to this great gallery of our game, this vintage batch entered their final ever Prem Ranjan desperately craving the one prize their hearts desired the most. The dream may have already passed them by, but what will never pass are the memories and learnings of Prem Ranjan, lessons that reach far beyond cricket, and their relentless attitude of never giving up, even when they received nothing in return.
In this edition of Prem Ranjan, HS21, despite not winning a game, showed grit and perseverance under the leadership of Santosh Mohan, whose clutch batting became the template for his team. He was supported by stalwart Himanshu Kumar, who had an extraordinary season with the bat, alongside crucial middle-order contributions from Asha, Sayanth, Rishi Pandey, and Tejaswini, whose rescue innings became a hallmark whenever the team batted.
On the bowling front, HS21 was spearheaded by one of the tournament’s all-time greats, Diwakar Kumar, usually known for his batting, who turned tormentor-in-chief with the ball, troubling opponents and even his own teammate Naveen at third man. The void left by Atharv’s absence was filled by Sapan with his nail, hitting yorkers and by Naseema’s indecipherable fast-bowling spin that even unsettled seasoned batters.
Though HS21’s season might seem forgettable on paper, their story was far from it. Each stumble was followed by a rise, each setback by resolve. Their emphatic victory in the Prem Ranjan All-Women’s Match stood as a glowing testament to their grit, dedication, and the “never give up” culture that defines HS21.
HS22: Relentless on the Field
-Joseph Kumar
The team led by a lion-hearted Santosh, joined by his teammates, a fiercely competitive group of sportsmen and sportswomen who play for their batch with enormous pride, are a side that will never back down from a setback. For them, the tournament unfolded much like previous editions: some hilarious wins, and a few heartbreakingly close games lost in the final overs.
The HS22 lineup was built around Santosh. At this point, there are hardly any words to describe his talent. Coupled with his single-minded concentration, he absolutely dismantled opponents. And while words fall short, the numbers don’t: 5 matches, 402 runs, 46 sixes, 3 half centuries, and his dearest match, winning century against HS21, a chase when the ball was nearly invisible. In that innings, Santosh seemed to reach cricketing nirvana. Every time he walked out to bat, there was chatter that the highest score in Prem Ranjan history might be breached.
Santosh’s destruction was supported by Pranay’s classical batting, perhaps the department’s most underrated player, and the fireworks of Akhil Rama. Who can forget the audacious scoop shot from Priyasha, or the innings of the highest calibre by Kinshuk Kandapal? On the bowling front, Aswitha, in addition to her DepSec duties, took charge of HS22’s bowling as well, an absolute magician with the ball.
Star Performers
BEST BATSMAN – SATYALA, THE RUN MACHINE !
When it comes to the best batsman, probably nobody in the DoHSS would think twice. From effortlessly bagging centuries to singlehandedly winning matches for his team, Santhosh Satyala of HS22 was nothing short of a real monster on the crease. A nightmare to his opponents, Santhosh never misses an opportunity to deliver his best performance, every single match.
BEST BOWLER – BREAKING STUMPS, WINNING GAMES…
They say, with experience you master the sport. What if we prove you wrong and bring before you Tamanna Chahal, the fresher from HS25 who awestruck the cricket enthusiasts of DoHSS with her exemplary bowling spell,. Yes, you heard it right ! She not only bagged the purple cap but also delivered the most economic spell of the tournament. Indeed a name to look out for!
BEST PLAYER – THE MAN, THE ROCK, THE CHAMPION!
31 off 6 balls. Flying sixes, sweating the ballboys…In the finals, in the last over, with all the pressure? Not a big deal for the winning captain Tushar Nawani who with utmost grace and ease, against all odds, fought like a true leader with no intention to give up. An all-rounder who owns the crease, the field and the hearts of the crowd. A true champion material, ain’t he?
BEST FEMALE PLAYER
The other name for consistency, passion and dedication. Every single match you see Akansha Surwade play, you are caught up in the magic of her game. Delivering punches with ball and bat, she makes the game unpredictable to you, bringing you to the edge of your seats! Taking wickets and delivering runs in the crucial moments is the genre of sport she excels in.
The All-Women’s Showdown
-Joseph Kumar
One of the unique traditions that began last year as part of the Prem Ranjan tournament is the all-women’s match. The inaugural game had seen HS21 face the All Stars, with the latter emerging victorious. Nearly a year later, HS21 turned the tables, coming back strong to defeat the All Stars comprehensively. The early morning match on 13th September at Sangam ground witnessed celebration of cricket, filled with laughs, cheers and the pure joy of playing together.
Batting first, the All Stars posted 85 runs in 15 overs. Despite the early loss of captain Akansha and Mokshagana, PhD’s Shania played a brilliant knock of 24 runs, ably supported by Aswitha and Fiona towards the finish. HS21’s bowling unit stood out, led by Asha who picked up three wickets, with good support from Ashwini and Tejaswini, along with sharp wicketkeeping by Devika.
HS21’s innings began with openers Aiswarya and captain Naseema. After the early wicket of Aiswarya, Naseema and Nitya built a solid partnership, finding boundaries and running hard between the wickets—assisted by the lightning pace of sprinter Mrinmayee. The chase was eventually sealed by Tejaswini and Nitya, registering HS21’s first-ever victory in the tournament. Asha emerged as the Player of the Match.
A special shoutout to both teams for their spirited efforts, especially to the beginners who learned the game in a short span and gave it their all.
The Unsung Heroes
Behind every one of the fourteen matches that unfolded at Sangam Ground over five days, there was immense hard work and selfless effort from a dedicated and passionate group of people. Under the overarching guidance and meticulous planning of Department Secretary Aswitha, who brought everyone together, Akhil Rama, the sports head, worked tirelessly coordinating teams, preparing schedules, and ensuring matches ran smoothly.
Countless tasks were handled behind the scenes: securing the venue, preparing the pitch, arranging supplies, being umpires, maintaining scores, designing posters, buying trophies and medals, arranging water and first aid. The team went one step ahead by not only organising a pre-event press meet, but also post-event trophy ceremonies, inviting professors.
Kudos to the team, mostly composed of Department Secretary Council members, and the volunteers across batches who made it all possible. Special appreciation goes to Branch Councilor Uthara and Sports Head Tushar. The Photography Club did a wonderful job, whose diligence captured the essence of every match.
Every game enjoyed a vibrant, cheering crowd. A special mention to Razik and the Article 19 media and outreach team for their captivating promos and post-tournament reels, Santosh Satyala and others for curating the Prem Ranjan Instagram page with just the right dose of nostalgia, and Alphin for his creative work on posters and designs. These unsung heroes are the ones who truly make the tournament possible.
Disks in Flight: HuSSLe Championship Continues
The HuSSLe General Championship is still underway. With the Prem Ranjan Memorial Cricket Tournament, perhaps the biggest among all the five sports events, done and dusted, all eyes are now on the frisbee disks already flying across Sangam Ground from 27th September.
This two-day tournament promises another exciting clash between the five teams. We welcome everyone to come, cheer, and witness who will rise to finally grab the championship!
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Chief Editor: Alphin Tom (HS21)
Content Contributions:
Joseph Kumar (HS21); Santosh Satyala (HS22); Neenu Elza (HS24); Amina Anush(HS25); Veena (HS25); Garima Satpuri (HS24)
Photos: Department Photography Club
Article 19 