Mumbai is the city of cricket. And the most basic prerequisite for normal cricket is some dry weather. So in the four months from June to September when it pours in the city and everything gets water-logged, what do you do? Can cricket actually stop in Mumbai?

The City of Dreams has a tournament for each season: the MCA Corporate Trophy in the summer, the Police Shield and Times Shield in the winter. What about the monsoon? Well, we have the prestigious Kanga League.

The Kanga League, the epitome of the romance between cricket, Mumbai and the monsoon season, will return to its traditional schedule at the end of July. What makes this league so unique is the ability to produce ‘Khadoos’ cricketers.

Khadoos cricketers are those who have high endurance levels when it comes to batting on tricky tracks. Bracing the puddles, knee-length grass and the uncertain wet pitches where the ball can ‘stop, shoot, skid and swing’ at once, the Khadoos cricketers - especially batters - use the lessons to upskill their prowess to play red-ball cricket. Hence, some might say this league opens the door to playing Test cricket for India.

Who started the Kanga League?

The competition was instituted in honour of former cricketer Hormasji Kanga and is played at the various arenas in the city - Azad Maidan, Shivaji Park, Cross Maidan, Oval Maidan, etc.

What makes the Kanga League different from the rest?

In the words of former Mumbai captain Shishir Hattangadi, "If a batsman scored 30 or 50 runs, it would be considered equivalent to an 80 or a 100."

Because across its storied history, the Kanga League has been a school for many grassroots cricketers to take their love for cricket to the pitch and polish their skills to the next level. From school children to senior players, the league has been an open forum to enjoy the sport and understand what temperament means in the sport.

Milind Rege, former Mumbai captain, once said, “The Kanga League is played when there is no cricket in the country. It's a tournament which allows you to be in touch with the game.”

Is there a Mumbai Indians connection?

Yes. Let’s start with our crown jewel, Sachin Tendulkar. The ‘Master Blaster’ made his debut at the age of 11 with John Bright Cricket Club in 1984. His son and member of our Class of 2023, Arjun Tendulkar, would make his Kanga League bow in 2013.

Zaheer Khan, who donned our Blue and Gold and currently serves as the Global Head of Cricket, famously bowled ten maiden overs in a Kanga League match. Well, that was one of the early glimpses of a player who would be one of the most successful left-arm pacers in cricket history.

Aditya Tare, who hit THAT famous six against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2014, is remembered as the first batter to notch a double hundred in a Kanga League match in 2013.

Dhawal Kulkarni and Aapla Dada Surya also took the Kanga League test early in their careers.

Paltan, the monsoon season has brought plenty to cheer about. While our Indian cricket team is conquering the West Indies, the cricketing circuit is still as lively as ever here in Aamchi Mumbai. So, if you want to experience cricket at its best, in this weather, all you need to do is visit the maidans in Mumbai, and spot the next future star!