Mumbai, Jan 22 (ANI/Business Wire India): Virender Sehwag marked his return to form in style, capping off a wonderful 2008 with consistent scores in all forms of the game, to top the points (59 points) for the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year 2008.

The other four who made it to the top five are: Gautam Gambhir, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh and Ishant Sharma.

Sehwag had a phenomenal year in Test Cricket with a triple hundred against South Africa and a double hundred against Sri Lanka, along with some blazing starts at the top of the order in one day cricket. Carrying on with his splendid form against the Australians in the Test series, Sehwag also came good in the one day series against England with a blistering 85 in the first game at Rajkot, propelling India to a massive total of 387/5 in their allotted 50 overs. He followed that up with knocks of 68 in Kanpur, 69 in Bangalore, and missed out on a scintillating century with 91 in the fifth game at Cuttack.

The Nawab’s special year ended in a fitting finale during the first India England Test in Chennai, with a blistering 83 on the fourth evening, which tilted the scales in India’s favour. His prolific run in 2008 makes Virender Shwag the front runner for the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year Award.

Gautam Gambhir, his Delhi team mate, comes in a close second with 52 points, after matching his opening partner’s good run with scores of 51,70 and 40 in the one dayers against England, along with a gritty century in seaming conditions in the second Test against England in Mohali.

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni concluded one of the most successful years by an Indian captain, with four wins in five Tests. Dhoni led from the front with sterling performances at crucial moments to take the third position with 48 points.

Two young bowlers walked away with the fourth and fifth positions with pivotal spells against the visiting English team. Harbhajan Singh kept the pressure on the Englishman with some tight spells during the one dayers, and picked up crucial wickets during the Chennai Test, to capture 41 points.

Ishant Sharma enhanced his reputation as India’s new speed sensation, spearheading the attack with 6 wickets in the two Tests against England, and holds fifth position with 37 points.

As per the Awards criteria, all Indian cricketers who have played international cricket for India will now be invited to vote for their choice of the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year from amongst the top five.

The annual Castrol awards for cricketing excellence were instituted in 1997-98.

The rating system takes into account performances by Indian cricketers in Test and One Day international matches during the calendar year. The Awards have been dominated over the last decade by Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid and this is the first year when neither of the three legends – Sachin, Rahul and Sourav, feature amongst the top five.

In 2008, Castrol also initiated the Castrol Asian Cricketer of the Year Award which was won by Sourav Ganguly for 2007.

The Castrol Awards for Cricketing Excellence were instituted by Castrol in 1997 to recognize and honour the present, past and future of Indian Cricket. The main awards include the Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year, the Castrol Junior Cricketer of the Year and the Castrol Lifetime Achievement Award. The Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year Award is a democratic award based on the performances of Indian cricketers in International cricket.

The Castrol Junior Cricketer of the Year Award recognizes and highlights the performances of budding cricketers who are exceptionally talented and who have performed consistently in the domestic season under review. The Castrol Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes and rewards outstanding contribution to Indian cricket. (ANI)