Date:08/05/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/05/08/stories/2009050856171800.htm

Sport - Cricket

MVP award boost for RR players

Mumbai: Rajasthan Royals left-arm seamer Kamran Khan, all-rounder Yusuf Pathan, batsman Abhishek Raut and wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Ojha have so far received the HDFC Standard Life Most Valuable Player award carrying a prize money of $1,000 in the DLF-IPL in South Africa.

“We have a long-term association with HDFC Standard Life and one of the many decisions taken by Rajasthan Royals is to recognise the performance of a player, not only in a winning match, but also in a losing match.

“The MVP for every match will receive $1,000 each. Shane Warne, Darren Berry and Jeremy Snape form the committee to select the MVP,” said Raghu Iyer, Chief Marketing Officer, Rajasthan Royals, at the launch of the ‘Sar Utha ke Jiyo’ theme video and MVP award here on Thursday.

Kamran, who is undergoing a rehabilitation programme after being reported for suspect action, and Yusuf, have received the MVP award two times.

“Warne has not announced the MVP award for one match, he wants to double it for another match and one match was not played because of rain. Berry and Snape are closely monitoring the rehab programme of Kamran Khan.

He is injured and the priority is to get him back into action. Warne believes that Kamran has the potential to improve and play for India in the near future,” said Mr. Iyer. — Special Correspondent