Bhangra beats returned to Edgbaston for the third year running as the Vaisakhi Cup brought together over 50 participants from across Warwickshire and Birmingham.
The event welcomed a vibrant mix of returning players and first-time participants, reflecting its growing reach. Held in celebration of Vaisakhi, the Cup is also a key initiative to introduce more people, particularly women and children, to cricket.
Teams played in a round-robin format using pairs indoor cricket rules, with teams of six.
This year marked a significant milestone with the debut of an all-female team.
Reflecting on this achievement, Community Participation Officer Simran Riat said, “This year, we’ve seen more female players than male, which has been fantastic.”
In another first, the entire tournament was organised and delivered by a team of female community coaches: Anusha, Samreen, Hannah, Simran, and Jess.
Off the field, participant’s enjoyed a spread of delicious indian snacks, including pakoras, samosas, and spring rolls.
And to build excitement ahead of the final match, a high-energy Bhangra dance session got everyone on their feet.
Simran also spoke about the rapid growth of the Cup: “It’s grown significantly in terms of attracting new participants to the game. Around 90–95% of the people here today usually only play cricket in gardens or local parks.”
“Compared to last year, when we had more club and county players, it’s great to see so many new faces playing cricket at Edgbaston.”
The Vaisakhi Cup forms part of the Warwickshire Cricket Foundation’s wider commitment to making cricket accessible and welcoming for everyone.