With Twenty20 cricket growing in popularity, the other disciplines are following suit to catch the attention. Something akin to the shortest format of cricket was played at the Don Bosco High School, Matunga, on Sunday.
The Funatic Double-Double Basketball was played over 12 minutes as opposed to the 40 minutes in a regular basketball game between the top 10 Mumbai clubs.
The team reaching 20 points first is declared winner. If neither team reaches 20 points, the team with more points after 12 minutes emerges victorious.
The players gave a thumbs up to the new format, saying it reduced the gap between the stronger and weaker teams, thus making it more competitive. “This format tests your skills to the fullest as it is very fast-paced, and hence you cannot afford to slow down even for a minute,” said Chirag Muni of the Savio Club.
Ironically, much like in cricket, the “traditionalists” blasted the new format. Nizar Ahmed Koya, the coach of Chembur YMCA, said: “This is equivalent to cricket’s T20. This can be played only for recreational or entertainment purposes but I would not ask my boys to
concentrate on this format.”
Saurabh Nishar, co-founder of Funatic Sports and one of those who conceptualised this format, maintained that this format was apt for basketball in India. “Our players cannot play at the optimum level for 40 minutes. This format is best-suited for our players, and it even gives the weakest of teams hope of beating stronger teams,” he said.
Nishar added his team will now try and make this format a part of the Savio Cup All India Basketball Tournament to be held in December besides taking it to schools across the city.
Results: Men
Final: Central Railway bt Savio Club 20-15;
Semifinals: Central Railway bt Indian Gymkhana 20-13; Savio Club bt Bandra YMCA 20-16;
Junior final: Don Bosco HS bt Cathedral School 20-13
Rules
Duration: 12 minutes (6 minutes each half with one minute break in between)
Who wins: Team to 20 points first wins, otherwise, the team with more points after 12 minutes wins
In case of a tie: Free Throw Shoot Out with three players
Time outs: 30 seconds per half per team
Substitutes allowed: 3
