The ELP Masters Cup 2012 was a runaway success with 16 law firms particpating in this year's edition. The tournament, which was held at the Police Gymkhana grounds between 19-22 January, saw Khaitan & Co. emerge victorious after defeating DSK Legal in the finals.

Rabindra Jhunjhunwala, captain of  Khaitan & Co. team, was naturally pleased with the result. “Our performance through the tournament was consistent. Winning 5 games in a row wouldn’t have been possible unless the entire team gave more than 100%. We are delighted with our win, and with this win the monkey is off our back. It was a pleasure to lead this bunch and see the bonding amongst the lawyers in the firm” he told Bar & Bench.

Khaitan & Co. managed to successfully chase  the target of 78 set by DSK Legal with 4 balls to spare in the final over. It was a fairly confident victory by Khaitan and Co. who had reamained undefeated in all their league matches. Khaitan & Co. had played and won against  Bharucha & Partners, Nishith Desai and Associates, and AZB & Partners in the league matches. In the semi-finals, they defeated Phoenix Legal by the highest margin yet recorded.

It was not such a good tournament for Wadia Ghandy & Co., the winners of the previous two editions, who suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of Phoenix Legal.

In the semi-finals, hosts ELP suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of DSK Legal with the result being decided through a six-ball “super over”. Speaking to Bar & Bench, Ginny Chacko of ELP said that although morale at the ELP office is a bit low at the moment, the team is already looking forward to next year's edition.

Chacko notes that the tournament had always managed to generate a great deal of interest within the law firms who take the tournament with a fair amount of seriousness. The ELP team for instance, had been practicing for the last two months and even managed to arrange a few practice games.

The tournament, serious competition aside, is also a great time for friends, colleagues and family members to cheer their teams. Hosts ELP had even designed caps and t-shirts for all the teams and have plans to expand the tournament next year.  All said and done, the ELP Masters Cup 2012 served as a welcome break for corporate lawyers and is indeed a welcome fixture in the year's calendar.