India File

Anand8217;s current ELO rating is 2790. World No 1 Garry Kasparov8217;s rating has dipped by 9.4 points, narrowing the gap between the two great Grandmasters to 25 points. Kramnik has slipped to 2778 points.

Fifth youngest

BANGALORE: Punjab8217;s young off-spinner Harbhajan Singh today became the fifth youngest Indian to make his Test debut in the third and final test against Australia at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here today.

The Jalandhar-born Harbhajan Singh, who turned out for India in the recently held World Under-19 Cup Championship in South Africa, followed compatriots Sachin Tendulkar. L Sivaramakrishnan, Maninder Singh and Vijay Mehra into therecord books by making his debut at 17 years and 266 days.

Shepherd8217;s honour

BANGALORE: English umpire David Shepherd achieved a personal mark of officiating his 40th Test match when he stood for the third and final Test between India and Australia at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here.

National Grid panel will present a specially commissioned bronze award in recognition of his achievement.

Shepherd, 48, commenced first class umpiring in 1981. Only three other umpires have officiated more Tests than Shepherd with Dickey Bird topping the list with 66, followed by Frank Chester 42 and CS Elliott 42.