Sports India

This year’s Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, the top sporting prize in India, will travel to Bangalore with all three nominees coming from the garden city.

The winner will be announced in the second week of August, but the sporting fraternity here and other Bangaloreans are already picking their favourites.

Indian captain Rahul Dravid is one of three contenders. However, the odds are against Dravid, considering that Sachin Tendulkar is the only cricketer to receive the prize and that was about eight years ago.

Locals, however, back Dravid to the hilt saying that he has done consistently well for India.

But going purely by previous record, tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi and top cueist Pankaj Advani have a better chance at winning the award.

The Khel Ratna has predominantly been conferred on people who play individual sports rather than team sports.

Members of Bangalore’s sporting fraternity believe that this is also a good chance for sports other than cricket to get recognition.

Former India cricketer and selector Syed Kirmani said his man for the award was cueist Pankaj Advani

“Advani has been a three time world champion. He is my man for the award,” said Kirmani.

Former athlete Ashwini Nachappa also backed Advani.

“As a young boy he has done wonders. He is one of the few athletes who has won all the major titles in one year and he deserves the award more,” she said.