Stage set for Indian Open polo c’ship

The Indian Open Polo Championship, the oldest trophy at stake on the national circuit, kicks off this season with the league rounds at the Jaipur grounds here on Wednesday, with three of the top teams in the country, Jindal Panther, Sahara Warriors Achievers and Cavalry Piccadilly in contention for the finale.

The BMW Indian Open is the highest level of the game played in India and is an integral part of the capital’s Fall season.

At the 2017 edition, fans can expect to see top professionals in action at the event, also considered the national championship. In the field are the likes of Shamsheer Ali (+ 6), Simran Shergill (+ 6), Dhruvpal Godara (+ 5), Abhimanyu Pathak (+ 5), Samir Suhag (+ 5) and Ravi Rathore (+ 5). This time, the oldest tournament in Indian polo will also witness international polo stars, Matthew Perry (+ 6) of the UK playing for Sahara Warriors and Goffredo Cutinelli (+ 4) of Italy playing for the Jindal team.

The event will be played on a full league basis, with each team playing each other. All matches will be played for a result. If the three teams finish with the same points after the league rounds, then one- on- one winners will prevail. If all the three teams finish with the same points, then the finalists will be decided through goal difference/ goals for/ goals against amongst the three. The final is on Sunday.