From Lonavala to the World: India’s Over 40s Journey Has Begun
A selection. A squad. A road that leads all the way to Guyana.
When we look back at Lonavala — those six days in January at the SPJ Cricket Ground — we will remember it as the moment Indian veterans’ cricket grew up.
Close to 88 players came from across the country. North, South, East, West, Central, Global — every corner of India was represented. They came, they competed, and they gave everything they had over what was a landmark week for our sport. It was, without question, the most ambitious national selection event in the history of Veterans Cricket India Over 40’s. A first of its kind. And the standard matched the occasion.
To every single participant: this was not just a tournament. It was a statement. And you were all part of it.
88 players. 6 zones. One shared purpose. What happened at Lonavala was historic — the first-ever national selection for VCI Over 40’s.
The Selection
From those 88 remarkable cricketers, our selection panel has identified an initial group of 30 players to be part of India’s Over 40s international programme over the coming months. Each of the 30 has been reached out to individually, and we are grateful for the enthusiasm and commitment they have shown.
We want to be clear to everyone who participated: being part of the 30 at this stage is not the only route into the India setup. The programme ahead is active, multi-tour, and evolving. There will be more games, more opportunities, and more moments for players to put their hand up. Our door is not closed to anyone who showed quality at Lonavala.
The conversation with talent does not end here. This is a programme, not a one-time selection. The pipeline stays open.
What the Next Four Months Look Like
The road ahead is a busy and exciting one. Over the next four months, India Over 40s will be active on multiple fronts — building combinations, developing team culture, and preparing properly for what lies at the end of this journey.
We begin in England — a proper international assignment against quality opposition. We will then continue our preparations with further fixtures, including matches against other international sides and some competitive games closer to home. The aim is simple: to arrive at the World Cup as a cohesive, battle-hardened unit that knows its game and trusts its teammates.
Every fixture between now and October is preparation. Every run scored, wicket taken, and over completed in the field counts.
The Destination: IMC Over 40s World Cup — Guyana
IMC Over 40s World Cup 2026 — Guyana, West Indies | October 2026
Organised by CWIMA • 16 nations competing • India included
The ultimate destination for this squad is Guyana — where the IMC Over 40s World Cup 2026 will take place in October, organised by CWIMA (Cricket West Indies Masters Association). India is among 16 nations that will compete for the world title on Caribbean soil, at one of cricket’s most storied venues in the West Indies.
This is the prize at the end of the road. Every match we play between now and then is a step toward being ready for it.
A Word to Everyone Who Was Part of Lonavala
We know that for many of you, the selection news may not have been what you hoped to hear at this stage. We want you to know that your participation mattered. The level you brought to that ground, the way you represented your zone, and the commitment you showed to this format of the game — none of it goes unnoticed.
The Indian Over 40s programme is just getting started. There will be more tournaments on home soil, more selections, and more opportunities for players to make their case. We will be in touch.
Veterans cricket in India is not a one-season story. We are building something lasting — and there is room for everyone who wants to be part of it.
See you on the field.
Veterans Cricket India – Over 40’s
