The evening had it all, from the antiquated shades of sepia to the flush of modern colours. The KSCA, celebrating its Platinum Jubilee, stayed firmly entrenched in the present as it travelled down memory lane on a star-studded night, graced by a galaxy of stars starting with pioneers like Kengal Thimmaiah to legends like Sachin Tendulkar and G.R. Viswanath.
With a huge canopy covering the arena beneath a star-less sky, it was only symbolic that the leading lights of Indian cricket lined up at the hallowed turf.
Not many from the current generation would have seen Bishan Singh Bedi and B.S. Chandrashekar hunt as a pair on the field, but what they did get to see on Saturday night was the spin wizards indulge in friendly banter.
And not to forget the arrival of Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly together which sparked off the loudest applause from the select audience. It was an evening of nostalgia, recognition, celebration and entertainment.
Apart from a host of former cricketers, administrators, former state captains, international umpires, the 75 who were feted on the day included 15 Indian captains starting with Chandu Borde and Ajit Wadekar who made it to the event along with other former skippers like Mohammad Azharrudin and K. Srikanth.
In an event put together by cricketers-turned-administrators led by Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath, it was only fitting that the stalwarts braving ill-health, long-haul flights and cramped schedules arrived to make it a memorable night to remember.