The Hindu : Sport / Billiards & Snooker : It's Alok again

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 26, 2005

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Sport - Billiards & Snooker

It's Alok again

Special Correspondent

ONGC's Alok Kumar receiving the trophy from S. Venkataraghavan. — Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

Chennai: Not for nothing is he is called `Alltime' Alok. Asian and three-time National champion Alok Kumar of ONGC (Punjab) proved yet again that he is the No. 1 snooker player in the country despite the World champion's presence. And he did not take too long to dispose of Maharashtra's Aditya Mehta 81-53, 79-0, 73-48, 52-11, 69-0, 20-75, 79-45 (best-of-11) in the summit clash to clinch the MCC invitation tournament title at the MCC premises here on Wednesday.

It is amazing that a player belonging to the old school of play, who takes his own sweet time to play his shots, beats the challenge of youngsters who have been trained in London by professionals and are accustomed to quick finishes. His game is perplexing as he plays risky shots when nobody expects and plays it safe when he is expected to pot. Perhaps, this is the reason for his regular success against the ambitious boys.

Today Alok had an excellent start with a break of 62 in the first frame and 51 in the second, a dream start for any player in the final. Aditya, who was simply brilliant in the semifinal against Manan Chandra, was clearly shaken. Alok quickly surged to a 5-0 lead and the Maharashtra player did not score anything in at least two frames.

Aditya, who had so much control in the semifinal and brought the cue ball to where he wanted while planning his game like a chess player, even missed sitters. Though he had a break of 40 in the first frame, the urge to keep building the score was not there.

After the match, Alok said, "The way Aditya played on Tuesday I thought it would be tough in the final. But I had two good breaks and his game fell apart. I am completely satisfied and it was easier than I expected. It is always good to win a title like this."

Aditya looked dejected after missing a wonderful opportunity. "It was an excellent tournament, but it was a poor final for me. It looked as if I had exhausted everything I had in the semifinal and nothing left in me for the final," he said. Pankaj Advani finished third, beating Manan Chandra of Delhi 47-64, 103-22, 83-43, 85-62, 57-36. Pankaj scored the highest break of 98 in the tournament in the second frame. Former Test cricketer, S. Venkatraghavan, distributed the prizes.

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