Bangalore, Aug 8 (DHNS): An impressive line of guests, a gala entertainment package and discussions on various cricketing matters by the game’s stalwarts are some of the main features of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, beginning here at the M Chinnaswamy stadium from Saturday.

The 10-day event will conclude with greats -- from Sir Richard Hadlee to Kapil Dev and Sachin Tendulkar to Rahul Dravid -- gracing the finale (August 17) where they will share the stage and their thoughts on the game. A host of India skippers will also be present on the occasion, the list that includes Sunil Gavaskar, Bishan Singh Bedi and Sourav Ganguly besides home hero Anil Kumble.

There is a historic significance to KSCA getting Sir Hadlee to join the illustrious gathering. The former New Zealand all-rounder had broken the then world record for the most Test wickets (373 held by Ian Botham) when he dismissed Arun Lal at Chinnaswamy here in November 1988.  Former India paceman and the KSCA secretary, Javagal Srinath, addressing the media here on Wednesday, said that August 17 would be a night to remember, featuring cricket and entertainment besides the legends of the game being recognised for their contributions. The highlight of the day would be the discussion involving Bedi, EAS Prasanna, BS Chandrashekhar and Kumble, India’s highest Test wicket-taker. The four will discuss the art of spin bowling. The original member of the famed spin quartet, S Venkataraghavan, is away in the US. And hence Kumble had to replace him, pointed out Srinath.

Among the events lined up are a Flea Market and Cricket Cuisine experience on August 10 and 11. “Rahul Dravid will be around to discuss his favourite food, while there will also be a Doodly Stall involving fun and games. The proceeds from the Doodly Stall will go to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund,” said Srinath.

Doodly, the mascot for the celebrations, was unveiled by Tallam Venkatesh, the treasurer of the Association. A Club Day is lined up for August 14, and will feature a discussion on Club Cricket in Karnataka involving Dravid, Srinath and Ramachandra Guha, the cricket historian. Kumble, the KSCA president, threw light on the growth of KSCA as one of the most efficient and respected associations in the country. The Mysore State Cricket Association was formed in 1934, and Mysore – as the state was called before it became Karnataka in 1974 – played the inaugural Ranji Trophy match, against Madras in Madras.

“As I stand here and look back at how we have reached this stage, I am filled with great pride and gratitude,” Kumble began. “Today, we are in a position where sometimes, we can afford to take things for granted – things like infrastructure, like a support group.
Things like turf pitches, lush-green outfields, easy and ready access to technology, counselling if one so desires. But it is important to remember that we are where we are because of the vision, the sacrifices, the initiatives and the drive of a committed group of individuals who had very little to work with.

“As we celebrate the Platinum Jubliee of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, we would like to remember our predecessors with fondness and with an overwhelming sense of appreciation of their dreams which allowed people like us to realise our dreams.”