Cricketing history, heritage and passion came together as The Parsee Gymkhana (PG) reclaimed the prestigious 1886 Trophy, reviving memories of the first Indian cricket team to tour England, 139 years ago. The trophy, which commemorates the pioneering 1886 Parsee tour of England, continues to stand as a symbol of the community’s enduring contribution to Indian cricket.

In fact, the Parsis were the first ever Indians to set sail for England to play cricket there, creating a legacy for future Parsi cricket players. As Fredun Devitre, Senior Advocate and former cricket commentator, who edited ‘Willow Tales – the Lighter Side of Indian Cricket’, rightly opined, “The 1886 Trophy commemorates a historic milestone in Parsi cricket: the tour of England by a Parsee team in 1886, the first ever tour by any team from India. The sheer magnitude and daring of the expedition is mind-boggling, happening as it did just 9 years after Test cricket began in 1877!”

The 1886 Trophy, was revived due the enthusiastic efforts of dynamic Vice President and Cricket Secretary of Parsee Gymkhana – Khodadad Yazdegardi and Matt Greenwell, in 2016, to recreate the historic contest between Indian and British teams. Contested between the Parsee Gymkhana and the Charles Alcock XI the tournament reflects the original India–England cricketing connection.

Since then, it has become an annual tradition with the 1886 Trophy being played alternatively in India and England over the years, with only a minor gap being caused by the pandemic. Matches are played keeping in mind the tradition of the gentleman’s game, with senior players forming the core of both sides, in the T-25 format. Vice Captain, Maneck Daruwala, highlighted the spirit behind the contest, “The 1886 Trophy is a celebration of the game we are passionate about. With an average team age of 50–55 years and a couple of players over 70, this victory reflects teamwork, commitment and love for cricket.”

This year’s edition, was hosted in Dubai by Freddy Sidhwa, the ‘84-year young’ cricket enthusiast who still plays the game, at the Ocean Fair International ground. “Hosting the international players was a great experience,” said Sidhwa, “I still play cricket on weekends and remain as passionate about the game as ever.” Appreciating his hosting the tournament, the Parsee Gymkhana had a special memento for him befitting a cricket fan, “I’d like to say a special thanks to Khodadad Yazdgardi and the PG team for gifting me the T-Shirt signed by Suryakumar Yadav – it will be a treasured addition to my collection of cricket memorabilia.”

In fact, other than the 1886 Trophy, in their seven-day Dubai tour, spanning 25^th November – 2^nd December, 2025, our boys in red (colour of Team PG) played a friendly T-20 game against the Dubai Police team; as also the Triangular Series comprising Freddy’s Ocean Fair Team, the Charles Alock XI and the Parsee Gymkhana, which was also incidentally won by PG!

The hotly, quite literally, contested 6^th edition of the 1886 Trophy match saw Parsee Gymkhana emerge victorious, with a score of 174 in 25 overs, beating Charles Alcock XI by 32 runs, who were 142 all out in 23.3 overs. Thus, taking the overall tally to 4 – 2 in their favour (ever since the trophy was resurrected in 2016). Despite challenging temperatures touching 38 -39°C, the players displayed remarkable fitness and enthusiasm.

Eric Billimoria, Honorary Joint Secretary of the Parsee Gymkhana, noted, “At this age, being able to play competitive cricket in such conditions is extremely satisfying. Cricket has given me so much since my school days.”

Captain Kersi Pavri described the win as deeply meaningful, “This time our focus was completely on winning, especially since in 2024, we lost by a very small margin of six runs. It was a matter of immense pride and honour to be part of this legacy and captain the team to victory. It was a superbly planned and executed win with every player of the team contributing to the victory. We were fuelled by our determination to bring the 1886 Trophy back to where it belongs – to Indian shores and our beloved Parsee Gymkhana!”

Mehli Golvala, President, Parsee Gymkhana, echoed the sentiment of all the gymkhana members when he said “We are thrilled to have won the 1886 trophy, a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication. This victory is a proud moment for our club and a tribute to the pioneering spirit of the Parsee cricketers who toured England in 1886. We hope to continue this legacy and inspire future generations of cricketers.”

On the opposing side, Matt Greenwell, captain of the Charles Alcock XI, emphasised the historical significance of the event, “There is an amazing historic connection between the Parsee Gymkhana and Surrey County Cricket Club. Next year marks the 140^th anniversary of the 1886 Trophy, and playing it in England will be an epic celebration of cricket, the India-UK connection and all things Parsi!”

Khodad Yazdegardi pointed out, “Next year is going to be especially significant, as it is the 140^th year and our Parsee Gymkhana team will once again travel to England to play, much like our forefathers did.” Such a landmark year for cricket deserves to be commemorated and there are talks of sponsorship being sought to cover the cost of the tournament and the subsequent celebrations. As preparations begin for the landmark 140^th-year edition in England, the 1886 Trophy stands as a living emblem of cricket’s enduring legacy, weaving together generations, bridging cultures, and spanning continents – a celebration of a game whose spirit never dims and whose magic continues to inspire the world.”

Parsi Times extends its heartfelt congratulations and resounding kudos to the Parsee Gymkhana for this momentous achievement. We take immense pride in having been part of this extraordinary journey right from its revival in 2016 – witnessing, chronicling and celebrating a legacy that continues to elevate Parsi cricket on the world stage. This triumph transcends the scoreboard, standing as a powerful reaffirmation and testament to our community’s pioneering spirit and enduring bond with the game.

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Parsee Gymkhana scored 174 for 4 in 25 overs and beat Charles Alcock XI by 32 runs to Win the 6^th edition of the 1886 Trophy, played in Dubai.

The illustrious Parsee Gymkhana Victorious Team was led with exemplary finesse and strategic brilliance by Captain Kersi Pavri, ably and astutely supported by the indefatigable Vice-Captain Maneck Daruwalla, with the supremely agile and razor-sharp Farshid Yazdani donning the crucial role of Wicket Keeper, alongside a formidable line-up of exceptionally talented team members: Bakhtyar Irani, Behram Kotwal, Eric Billimoria, Jamshed Hormusjee, Khoremand Signaporia, Khushal Jilla, Mehernosh Chhor, Vafadar Irani, Viraf Pavri and Vispi Mehta.

Jamshed Hormusjee was declared the ‘Man of the Match’, at 52 not out and 3 wickets. Incidentally, this was his debut in the 1886 Trophy, and he found it, “very memorable and fantastic experience. We take our cricket very seriously and I’m absolutely praying to be able to play in the 140^th year edition of the 1886 Trophy as well!”

Not surprisingly, Jamshed Hormusjee was adjudged the ‘Best Batsman’ in the Triangular Tournament, with Kersi Pavri awarded ‘Best Bowler’.

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