Tuesday, March 04, 2008

A new Indian record for Praveen Kumar

Praveen Kumar who played an important role in India's 9-run win over Australia in the second final of CB Series today, got an Indian record on his name which went unnoticed, well almost. At 21 years 154 days Praveen is now the YOUNGEST Indian to win Man of Match award in a tournament final. Praveen snatched this record from Sachin Tendulkar (who else!)

Youngest Indians to win MoM award in tournament finals
Age    Player           Tournament     Opp Venue    Season   Performance
(Yrs-Dys)
21-154 Praveen Kumar    CB Series      Aus Brisbane 2007-08  7 & 4-46
21-195 Sachin Tendulkar Wills Series   WI  Kolkata  1994-95 66,1-35 & 1 ct
21-224 Mohammad Kaif    NatWest Series Eng Lord's   2002    87*
23-41  Anil Kumble      Hero Cup       WI  Kolkata  1993-94  5* & 6-12
24-33  Rahul Dravid     Standard Bank  SA  Durban   1996-97 84

Note: All performances excepting Dravid's came in WON matches.

Sachin Tendulkar: Badshah of Finals
Sachin was at his scintillating best in the second final of CB Series after scoring a century in the first final. His 91 runs were in no way less important than Praveen Kumar's figures of 4-46. It was,however, Praveen who won Man of the Match award in the end. Tendulkar should have no reasons to complain though. He already has won more Man of the Match awards in tournament finals than any other player in ODI history. The award in the first final was Tendulkar's seventh such award in the finals. No other player has managed more than five!

Players winning most man of match awards in tournament finals
MoMs Player             For
7   Sachin Tendulkar   India
5   Aravinda de Silva  Sri Lanka
5   Wasim Akram        Pakistan
4   Sanath Jayasuriya  Sri Lanka
4   Adam Gilchrist     Australia
4   Ricky Ponting      Australia
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