Sudhir Naik-led 1971 Mumbai Ranji champions felicitated

Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar hands over a cheque to Sudhir Naik (left) as Karsan Ghavri looks on during a function at MCA’s Bandra-Kurla Complex club yesterday. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

The golden jubilee of Mumbai's memorable 1970-71 Ranji Trophy triumph was celebrated on Friday evening at the Mumbai Cricket Association's Bandra-Kurla Complex club.

A good number of players of that Sudhir Naik-led team, which beat Maharashtra in the final by 48 runs at the Brabourne Stadium in April 1971, gathered for a function called Magnificent 1971 Men through an initiative by former Mumbai pacer Vighnesh Shahane, the CEO and MD of Ageas Federal Life Insurance.

Each member was rewarded Rs 50,000 from chief guests, former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar and ex-India pacer Karsan Ghavri.

Captain Naik was given Rs 75,000. The function was attended by current chief coach Amol Muzumdar, who handed out an open invitation to the ex-cricketers to come to the Mumbai dressing room and advice the current lot.

"Please come to the dressing room, feel free. It is your own team and don't hesitate," Muzumdar insisted during a chat show hosted by journalist Dwarkanath Sanzgiri.