1. Indian Golfer Shiv Kapur Wins Royal Cup at Pattaya.
New Delhi: Shiv Kapur shot a stunning four-under-67 to claim his third Asian Tour title of the year, winning the Royal Cup in Pattaya, Thailand, on Sunday. The 35-year-old, who had just one win in almost 11 years till April this year, has now won thrice in the last eight months.
It was a close battle between Kapur and overnight leader Prom Meesawat of Thailand but the former came through a see-saw battle and shot four-under 67 to finish at 14-under. Meesawat (70) was at 13-under.
Making it a great week for Indian golf was Gaganjeet Bhullar (66), who was sole third at 11-under 273, while Khalin Joshi (67) was sole sixth at 8-under 276. Jyoti Randhawa (72) was tied 41st at one-over 285.
Kapur first won on Asian Tour in his debut season in December 2005, but it took more than 11 years and four months for the next Asian Tour title, which came in April 2017.
This latest title marks Kapur’s fourth Asian Tour win and sixth international title — he won twice on the European Challenge Tour too. Kapur, the only multiple winner on the Asian Tour this year, is also the only Indian to have won three titles on the Asian Tour.
Kapur, who had 19 birdies against five bogeys this week, earlier clinched the Yeangder Heritage and the Panasonic Open India titles this season. “It was a see-saw battle indeed. I had to come out fighting straight out of the blocks. I made two birdies in my first three holes and that reversed Prom’s advantage. It doesn’t always go to plan, but luckily I started well and he made a bogey on the second hole and before I knew it, I was leading the tournament,” Kapur said.
With four holes remaining, Kapur mounted yet another challenge.
He said, “Standing on the 15th tee, I told my caddie that we’re not going to go down without a fight. Let’s make a birdie here and see what happens or at least give myself a chance going into the last two holes.
“The birdie there (on the 15th) got me back into the tournament. I had a good up and down on the 17th and Prom kind of handed me the tournament as he three putted there. At the 18th, I thought he was a bit unluckily. Prom is a steely competitor and I’m lucky to come out on top.”
After holding a share of the lead for first two rounds, Kapur fell back by two to Meesawat after the third round.
On Saturday, Kapur said he needed a fast start to challenge the Thai. He did just that with a three-under front nine, while Meesawat traded three birdies with three bogeys to play the front nine on even par.
Meesawat said, “It was a good battle with Shiv. He was playing well and I simply made more mistakes. He deserved to win.”
Bhullar said, “I had a good tournament. I didn’t prepare much as I came straight from my wedding. Today was particularly good. I holed a lot of good putts and gave myself good opportunities.”
2. Vidarbha Defeats Delhi to win Ranji Trophy for the First Time.
Quite fittingly, Wasim Jaffer put the finishing touches to the historic script of Vidarbha’s tryst with destiny in this year’s Ranji Trophy.
Though the result was as foregone conclusion, Jaffer ended Vidarbha’s wait by whipping four boundaries, between square leg and fine-leg, in one over from a wayward Kulwant Kheroliya. In a way, this was symbolic of how Vidarbha dismissed Delhi’s half-hearted challenge in the final.
The 29-run target for victory was achieved with nine wickets and a day to spare. After Gujarat last year, Vidarbha made history at the Holkar Stadium here in becoming another first-time winner of the National championship.
For Jaffer, who holds the record of most runs in first-class cricket in the country, this was the ninth time when he was part of the Ranji Trophy-winning team.
The former India and Mumbai opener, playing as a professional for Vidarbha, slipped into the background even as the younger members of the team were part of the joyous scenes here.
“No body thought I could be part of a Ranji Trophy winning team one more time,” said the genial 39-year old with record 17,824 runs in first-class cricket.
“It is very pleasing to be part of this unit. I don’t know how many more years I have as a cricketer. Honestly, I don’t know anything other than playing cricket. I am enjoying it thoroughly. This campaign could not have ended in a better way.”
3. G Sathiyan Becomes Indias Highest-Ranked Player in Latest ITTF Rankings.
New Delhi, Jan 2 (PTI) The in-form G Sathiyan has surpassed the legendary Sharath Kamal to be India`s highest- ranked player in the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings, which also have an unprecedented nine players in the top-100.
Sathiyan, who was nowhere near the top-100 bracket until a few months ago, is the leader today at world No. 49, thus pushing Kamal to the second spot at 51. They are followed by Soumyajit Ghosh (58), Harmeet Desai (60), Sanil Shetty (68) and Anthony Amalraj (87).
As for the women, Manika Batra is topping the world chart among Indians at 62, while Mouma Das (74) and Madhurika Patkar (81) trail the leader.
The ITTF rankings have undergone a change after the new system was approved in September 2017. The new simplified and comprehensive system provides for a more dynamic world ranking based on paddlers` performance and results during the entire year.
In addition, the system also encourages players to participate in more and more events rather than being inactive, affecting the individuals rankings.
In under-18 boys, Manav Thakkar at 18 is followed by Manush Shah at No.47 while Snehit Surravajjula is placed at No.64.
In the girls` section, three Indians - Archana Kamath at No.34, Selenadeepthi Selvakumar at No.95 and Yashini Sivashankar at No.99 have made it in the top 100.
In junior boys, Jeho Himnakulhpuingheta is placed at No. 52, followed by Payas Jain at No.74 and Yashansh Malik at No. 85.
In junior girls category Diya at No.21 is way ahead of the two compatriots Anusha Kutumbale and Vanshika Bhargava who sit on No.63 and No.70 respectively