Amandeep Johl Appointed as CEO of Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI)

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI, Nov 13: The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) announces the appointment of Amandeep Johl as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from January 2025. A respected name in Indian golf, Johl brings extensive experience to his new role.

The appointment comes alongside another recent significant leadership addition, with the legendary cricketer Kapil Dev assuming the role of PGTI President in June this year. Johl replaces Uttam Singh Mundy, who has essayed a key role in the organization since its inception.

Johl, who until recently was on the PGTI board, will take charge from 1st January, 2025. In the interim period until 31st December, 2024, he will be assisting Mundy in completing the handover process.

Welcoming Johl’s elevation to CEO, Kapil Dev said: “Amandeep has been on the Indian and Asian golf circuit for nearly 34 years and it is just apt that somebody who is so entrenched in the sport leads the PGTI. These are exciting times for golf in India and with Amandeep at the helm, the PGTI looks forward to strengthening its presence, in India and around the world.”

The legendary cricket all-rounder hailed the outgoing CEO for his contribution to PGTI and Indian golf. “Uttam Mundy’s commitment and vision have been instrumental in establishing PGTI as the premier professional golf tour in India, and his contributions are deeply appreciated,” he said.

Johl, who holds a degree in mechanical engineering, has been an integral part of Indian golf since making it to the junior Indian team in 1985 and four years later emerging as the National amateur champion in 1989. Since then, he has worn various hats, be it as a professional player on the Asian and European Tours, national coach, a board member of the PGTI and also as a founding member of the Asian Tour (2004).

“I am thrilled and thank the PGTI for entrusting me with this huge responsibility,” remarked the 55-year-old Johl. “It is probably the most important role of my golfing career,” he said, adding, “I have big shoes to fill thanks to my dear friend, Uttam Mundy, who has been instrumental in laying a strong foundation for the PGTI with his untiring efforts.”

The 60-year-old Mundy expressed confidence that the experienced Johl, his successor as CEO, is a good choice for the role to further build on all the gains achieved by the PGTI over the last 18 years since its inception. “I am happy that I pass the baton to Amandeep who brings in a lot of experience and whose passion for golf is second to none. I’m sure the PGTI will immensely benefit with his expertise,” he said.

Reflecting upon his stint as CEO, Mundy added: “It has been an enriching journey for me since 2009 when I was entrusted with the responsibility of building PGTI as a brand which was still in its nascent stage considering it came into being in 2006. I would like to believe that both the PGTI and Indian golf have come a long way over the past decade and a half with major milestones being achieved by the PGTI such as induction into the ‘International Federation of PGA Tours’, becoming a part of the ‘Official World Golf Ranking’ (OWGR) system, the signing of a strategic partnership with PGA Tour and DP World Tour and the exponential growth of prize money to approximately INR 25 crore this season with an average of INR 1 crore for each event.”

With this transition, PGTI aims to continue its mission to nurture and support professional golf in India, fostering talent and promoting the sport across the country. It is optimistic that under the leadership of Kapil Dev and Amandeep Johl, PGTI will achieve new milestones and further its impact in the world of golf.

With Rs 27 Crore Rishabh Pant Shatters IPL 2025 Auction Record

RIYADH, Nov 24: The first day of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction has ended. A total of 84 players (72 sold and 12 unsold) went under the hammer. Teams spent a total of Rs 467.95 crore.

History was made at the IPL 2025 auction with star India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant becoming the most expensive player ever. Lucknow Super Giants picked him up for Rs 27 crore. Pant broke Shreyas Iyer's record, who was picked by Punjab Kings for Rs 26.75 crore.

KKR went all out for Venkatesh Iyer and roped him in for Rs 23.75 crore. Yuzvendra Chahal became the most expensive Indian spinner ever in IPL as PBKS picked him for Rs 18 crore.

Earlier, Arshdeep Singh was the first player to be sold in IPL 2025 Auction, that too by RTM card, at Rs 18 crore by PBKS.

Ishan Kishan will be donning the Sunrisers Hyderabad jersey as he was picked by the former champions for Rs 11.25 crore. In 2022, Mumbai Indians bought him back for Rs 15.25 crore but did not go the distance for him this time.

MI was pretty late to join the bidding war and made their first buy in Trent Boult for Rs 12.50 crore.

426 Runs In 463 Balls: Indian Youngster Makes History In BCCI's CK Nayudu Trophy

MUMBAI, Nov 9: Haryana opener Yashvardhan Dalal captured the spotlight with a remarkable quadruple century in the Colonel CK Nayudu Trophy on Saturday against Mumbai.

Haryana commenced their third match in India's premier age-group first-class competition on Friday. After two seasons with an U-25 age limit, the tournament has returned to an U-23 format this year. In their opening match from October 13-16, Haryana managed only 102/2 in 22 overs against Madhya Pradesh, resulting in a draw. They subsequently suffered a nine-wicket defeat to Jharkhand in their second game.

Facing Mumbai, Haryana elected to bat first and promoted Dalal to the top of the order. Dalal had previously scored 4 against Madhya Pradesh and 23 & 67 in the loss to Jharkhand.

Dalal, alongside Arsh Ranga, forged a monumental 410-run partnership for the first wicket. Ranga was eventually dismissed for 151 off the last ball of the 98th over, caught off the bowling of Atharva Bhosale. By then, Dalal had already reached 243.

Though wickets began to fall more frequently, Dalal held firm, forming significant half-century partnerships with Parth Nagill (25) and captain Sarvesh Rohilla (48).

Dalal surpassed several milestones with apparent ease, breezing past 250, 300, and 350 runs. In the evening session of the second day, he crossed the 400-run mark. Dalal then accelerated, aiming for quick runs as Haryana was already eight wickets down. By stumps, he remained unbeaten on 426 off 463 balls, with 46 fours and 12 sixes in his marathon innings.

Haryana ended the day at 732/8 and are yet to declare. Dalal will have the opportunity to add to his impressive score when play resumes on Sunday.

This isn't the first time the Jhajjar-born opener has made headlines with big scores. In an U-16 league match in December 2021, he hammered 237 runs, helping Haryana Cricket Academy amass 452-5 in 40 overs, leading to a commanding 368-run victory.