Indians eyeing honours in Asian GP

Kolkata

Kolkata, Sep 16 (PTI) A 12-member Indian contingent, comprising of Olympians Jayanta Talukdar and Dola Banerjee, would be eyeing some prominent performances when fourth Asian Grand Prix tournament gets underway at the SAI Eastern Centre here tomorrow.

Having bagged three golds, one silver and two bronze medals from World Cup stages, Indians are high on confidence as they appear overwhelming favourites against the archers from Bangladesh, Iran, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Bhutan and Nepal.

As the Asian GP field not so strong, it will also give the hosts a chance to erase their bitter memories of World Championship held in Ulsan from September 1-9.

Indians had returned empty-handed from the South Korea meet.

"Our boys, especially the trio of (Jayanta) Talukdar, Rahul Banerjee and Mangal Singh Champia had some good chances.

But the going was tough there and we failed.

PTI

After T20 cricket, it's PowerPlay golf in India

Mumbai,

Mumbai, Sep 16 (PTI) After Twenty20 cricket, it's time for PowerPlay golf, a shortened version of the game played over nine holes, with two flags on the green and a duration of two hours, to attract the attention of sports fans.

The eighth edition of the Signature Club Golf Championship, which involves 43 clubs spread over 30 cities in the country from September 26 to December 14, is to be played under the two-year-old PowerPlay format.

The founder of PowerPlay Golf, Peter McEvoy, told reporters today that the format has been introduced following a 5 per cent drop in audience for the traditional four-day golf.

"It's a shorter form, like T20 cricket, five-a-side football and seven-a-side rugby. I think Indian fans would like its faster pace. While normal golf is a reward for patience, in this format you have to make things happen," he said.

Pti

Malik ready to open the innings but wants long run

Karachi

Karachi, Sep 16 (PTI) Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik is ready to take on the role of an opener in the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy but wants an extended run from the team management.

"I have no problems opening the innings. I have done it before. But I don't want to be tried in this position for just two or three matches. I want to be given a proper chance for 10 to 12 matches," Malik told the media last night.

The Pakistani selectors have picked just one specialist opener, Imran Nazir, in their 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy and are preparing to try out wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and Malik in the makeshift role.

Malik insisted that opening the innings was a specialist's job and anyone doing it should have a peace of mind that he would be given a proper run to prove himself.

PTI

Gautam Gambhir and Sehwag lead race for Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year 2008

Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year Award

Mumbai, September 16th 2009: Injuries may have forced them to take a temporary break from playing, but Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir continue to stand at the forefront of Indian cricket. The two lead the points tally for the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year 2008, followed by their Captain - Mahendra Singh Dhoni and bowlers Harbhajan Singh and Ishant Sharma.

Player Test Pts ODI Pts Total
Virender Sehwag 36 23 59
Gautam Gambhir 26 26 52
MS Dhoni 19 29 48
Harbhajan Singh 26 15 41
Ishant Sharma 17 20 37

The Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year Award is decided on a two stage system. In the first stage, the points scored determines the top five contender’s shortlist. In the second stage, all Indian cricketers who have played at least one test match or five ODIs, are invited to vote for their choice of player for the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year. This enables a qualitative element as well.

With votes still coming in from Indian cricketers across the country, the race is too close to call and the ultimate winner will only be known at the Castrol Awards for Cricketing Excellence ceremony to be held in Mumbai on 17th September ‘09.

The Castrol Awards for Cricketing Excellence have honored the present, past and future of Indian cricket since their inception in 1997-98. Previous years' winners of the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year have been Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar.

The Award ceremony will also include The Castrol Indian Junior Cricketer of the Year Award (Ravindra Jadeja) and The Castrol Lifetime Achievement Award (G R Vishwanath). Four new awards, instituted from 2008, will also be given away and these include The Castrol Indian Test Cricketer of the Year, The Castrol Indian ODI Cricketer of the Year, The Castrol Indian Bowler of the Year and The Castrol Indian Batsman of the Year. The Awards are for the calendar year 2008.

Gautam Gambhir and Sehwag lead race for Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year 2008

Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year Award

Mumbai, September 16th 2009: Injuries may have forced them to take a temporary break from playing, but Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir continue to stand at the forefront of Indian cricket. The two lead the points tally for the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year 2008, followed by their Captain - Mahendra Singh Dhoni and bowlers Harbhajan Singh and Ishant Sharma.

Player Test Pts ODI Pts Total
Virender Sehwag 36 23 59
Gautam Gambhir 26 26 52
MS Dhoni 19 29 48
Harbhajan Singh 26 15 41
Ishant Sharma 17 20 37

The Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year Award is decided on a two stage system. In the first stage, the points scored determines the top five contender’s shortlist. In the second stage, all Indian cricketers who have played at least one test match or five ODIs, are invited to vote for their choice of player for the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year. This enables a qualitative element as well.

With votes still coming in from Indian cricketers across the country, the race is too close to call and the ultimate winner will only be known at the Castrol Awards for Cricketing Excellence ceremony to be held in Mumbai on 17th September ‘09.

The Castrol Awards for Cricketing Excellence have honored the present, past and future of Indian cricket since their inception in 1997-98. Previous years' winners of the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year have been Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar.

The Award ceremony will also include The Castrol Indian Junior Cricketer of the Year Award (Ravindra Jadeja) and The Castrol Lifetime Achievement Award (G R Vishwanath). Four new awards, instituted from 2008, will also be given away and these include The Castrol Indian Test Cricketer of the Year, The Castrol Indian ODI Cricketer of the Year, The Castrol Indian Bowler of the Year and The Castrol Indian Batsman of the Year. The Awards are for the calendar year 2008.