Somasunder, Hirwani tops

Former Karnataka and India batsman Sujith Somasunder, who now plays for Kerala, tops the runs aggregate in first class matches in the 2002-03 Indian domestic season, having scored 964 runs, at an impressive average of 60.25 in 10 matches. He is closely followed by Mumbai opening batsman Wasim Jaffer, who has 941 runs, at an average of 55.35, to his name.

Young Delhi left-hander Gautam Gambhir has the highest average of 81.30, having scored 813 runs in eight matches. He is a certainity for the Indian team for the Dhaka triangular series following a consistent showing for the India 'A' team in the West Indies domestic Carib series.

Veteran spinner Narendra Hirwani from Madhya Pradesh tops the bowling charts with 73 wickets in nine matches, at an average of 17.38.

India discard Sunil Joshi is the only other bowler to pick more than 50 wickets -- 52 wickets in 9 matches, with an average of 17.11.

Following is a summary of the leading batsmen and bowlers:

Top run-getters this season - in all first-class matches (as on 1-4-2003)