Top Sports India News Stories of 24th October 2008

Daily news summary

Kapil's Devils felicitated, replica of Prudential Trophy unveiled in Dubai
In a grand finale to the silver jubilee celebrations of India's 1983 cricket World Cup victory, Kapil's Devils were felicitated and a replica of the Prudential Trophy unveiled for auction at a function here yesterday night. The UAE Minister for Higher Education Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan honoured the champion side at a glittering function at the new 'Atlantis, The Palm' resort on the Palm Jumeira artificial island off the coast of Dubai. All members of that champion side, except Dilip Vengsarkar, were present on the occasion as nostalgia filled the air in the 'Legends of Lords' event. The champions were presented with a miniature crystal replica of the Prudential Cup and a diamond-studded replica of the original trophy was unveiled for auction. Stand-up comedian Cyrus Broacha compered the evening's proceedings. Apart from Kapil, those present were Mohinder Amarnath, Sunil Gavaskar, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Madan Lal, Sandeep Patil, Roger Binny, Kirti Azad, Yashpal Sharma, Syed Kirmani, Balwinder Singh Sandhu, Ravi Shastri and Sunil Valson.

Jeev Milkha Singh placed 51st after first round of the Castello Masters
Jeev Milkha Singh, returning to action after a week's rest on account of a neck and shoulder injury, shot an even par 71 in the first round of the Castello Masters at Club de Campo del Mediterráneo. Jeev was placed 51st after first round, opened with a triple bogey, but then steadied himself. He birdied the fourth and ninth to turn in one-over. On the back nine, he picked up shots on the 11th and 13th, but dropped a bogey on 14th and this even par 71 and then parred the rest for his even par 71.Of the other Indians, Shiv Kapur was tied 68th with one-over 72 and Jyoti Randhawa was tied 82nd at 73. Soren Kjeldsen shot a seven under par 64 to lead by one shot after the first day. Kjeldsen missed getting a place on the European Ryder Cup Team as he lost his form badly. Tournament favourite Garcia, who is hosting the event at the club he played as a boy and where his father is still the professional, closed his round with three successive birdies.

Viswanathan Anand misses to make it a hat-trick of wins
Viswanathan Anand was unable to make it a hat-trick of wins, but nevertheless moved closer to retaining his world title with a draw in the seventh game that gave him a 5-2 lead over Vladimir Kramnik in the 12-game World Chess Championship final. With the match moving into the second half, Anand had white for the second game in a row. This is because the games are played in pairs and the regulations switch the day that the players have white in this pair at the half way stage. Anand now needs just 1.5 points from five games to close the match and win the world title yet again. Anand has won the third, fifth and sixth games in the 12-game final. The game opened in the slav defence, and Kramnik played a line which was more safer. Kramnik invited complications and no sooner had he done that, Anand decided he also wanted to fight.
Rajasthan Royals to clash with South Africa's Dolphins in Twenty20 inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Rajasthan Royals will open their Twenty20 Champions League campaign against South Africa's Dolphins on the opening day at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, Dec 3. Chennai Super Kings will take on Australia's Bush Rangers in their first match Dec 4. The inaugural edition will be held in three Indian cities - Mumbai. Chennai, Bangalore. The final will be played in Mumbai.

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