A Silver Jubilee of Friendships, Cricket and Memories

The Air Force Veteran Cricketers celebrated the Silver Jubilee of their reunions on 2nd and 3rd October 2026 - a remarkable journey that began in 2002 with the initiative of the three musketeers: NR Kumar, Sunil Asthana, and HP Sharma.

Over the years, many more friends joined the endeavour, helping transform a simple idea into the magnificent annual gatherings that we cherish today.

Good fortune brought the three cricketers - Air Mshl Gautam Nayyar, Air Mshl S Sriram, and me - posted together at HQ Maintenance Command in 2008. We found ourselves transported back to our younger days - the matches, the dressing-room banter, and above all, the friendships forged on the cricket field. That sparked a series of three reunions at Nagpur. The Nagpur reunions also helped revive the much-loved ‘Vayu Sena Challenge Cup’, where many of our friends, under the stewardship of our mentor Gp Capt DD Deshpande, had been the stars of their younger cricketing days.

Not to be outdone by the Hyderabad group, SS Bhalekar organised a gathering at Nashik almost single-handedly. Then came one of the most memorable reunions at Udaipur, hosted with extraordinary warmth and led by the nonagenarian mother of Gp Capt GS Shaktawat.

In the Armed Forces, the ethos of camaraderie and bonhomie that comes so naturally to us across the three Services is something our friends in the civil world greatly admire. Our celebrations began with a festival match against the Army Veterans, with a couple of Navy Veterans joining in as well. The spirit of these festival matches is simple: there are no losers - both sides emerge as winners.

What is it that keeps these bonds alive even after 30, 40, or 50 years? The answer is simple: Air Force cricket.

Cricket, combined with the Indian Air Force, has created an illustrious legacy that stands apart. The Indian Air Force gave us much more than a profession. It gave us lifelong friendships, unforgettable experiences, cherished memories, and values that have guided us throughout our lives.

And Cricket was never merely a game. It taught us to place teamwork above individual glory, and to value patience, resilience, discipline, and respect. Above all, it taught us that success and failure are temporary, but character is permanent. We learned to accept failure with the same grace and spirit with which we celebrated success.

This Silver Jubilee reunion has been a magnificent organisational effort. Yet, the real credit belongs to every participant, along with their spouses and families, who travelled from near and far to be part of this celebration. Their presence was a powerful testament to the enduring strength of our friendships.

We remembered our icons, beginning with Air Chief Mshl IH Latif, who possessed the rare ability to empower a nominated leader on the field, despite his own towering presence. We relived the memories that shaped us, cherished the friendships that have stood the test of time, and celebrated the countless यादें that continue to bring us together.

May the Indian Air Force continue to touch the skies with glory.

And may cricket continue to remain a builder of character, camaraderie, and lifelong friendships, while keeping the commercial aspect firmly at bay!

Jai Hind!

Air Mshl PV Athawale