 "Your sporting guide to 2015")
ICC WORLD CUP
(February 14- March 29)
It seems like it was only yesterday that Mahendra Singh Dhoni hoisted Nuwan Kulasekara for a massive six over long-on at a packed Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai to hand India its second World Cup title. Four years on, and the attraction of another title win beckons as Dhoni and his men will look to conquer the world in Australia and New Zealand. Easily the biggest sporting event of the year, the 11th edition of the tournament will feature 14 teams - including associate nations Ireland, Afghanistan, Scotland and the United Arab Emirates. While India has been the dominant force in one-day cricket over the last couple of years, the fast and bouncy pitches Down Under will put a young Indian team through a stern test. Australia - who last lifted the trophy in 2007 - will look to reclaim the crown on home soil. With a clinical mix of youthful exuberance and experience, Australia, with players like Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson and David Warner, have all the ingredients to clinch a fifth world title. Their major competition will come from South Africa - they would be keen to shed their "chokers" tag - and Sri Lanka - a team that has traditionally done well in the World Cup. The final will be played in Melbourne on March 29.
(March 2015)
2014 was the year of multi-franchise sports leagues in India, and none was more popular than the first season of the Pro Kabaddi League. The league was sampled by more than 435 million viewers during its five-week run. The league's mix of action and entertainment helped it gain such massive popularity. Egged on by delirious crowds, the Jaipur Pink Panthers won the 2014 season. The 2015 season, which will be flagged off in March next year, will hopefully make its popularity soar even higher.
(June 6- July 5)
The men battled it out for football's mega prize in 2014, it's the turn of the women in 2015. Spread across six venues in Canada, the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup will see a showdown between the best 24 women's football teams in the world. In Germany four years ago, Japan surprised everyone by becoming the first Asian team to win the title. USA, Germany, Sweden and Brazil will start as favourites in a tournament that will feature stars such as Nadine Angerer, Nilla Fischer, Marta and Hope Solo.
(July 24- August 9)
The Russian city of Kazan will host the 16th edition of the World Aquatics Championships. Multiple Olympic medallist and comeback man Michael Phelps will miss the championships, owing to a six-month ban slapped on him by swimming's world governing body for a case of drunken driving. Despite the American's absence, the event will see a host of world and Olympic champions in action - a long list that includes 11-time Olympic medallist Ryan Lochte, South Africa's butterfly specialist Chad le Clos, four-time Olympic backstroke champion Missy Franklin and Hungarian sensation Katinka Hosszu.
(August 22- 30)
Usain Bolt will be back at the scene of his first major triumph as he will look to defend his 200m world title. At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the Jamaican had stunned the world with a historic sprint double - smashing the world record in both the 100m and 200m events. The in-form Justin Gatlin and compatriot Yohan Blake will pose the biggest threat to Bolt, who would be eager to put an injury-hit 2014 behind him. The Bird's Nest will also in action see double Olympic champion Mo Farah in the 5,000m and 10,000m, Kenya's David Rudisha in the 800m, France's pole vault world record holder Renaud Lavillenie, and New Zealand's Valerie Adams in the shot put.
(September 18- October 31)
The image of French captain Thierry Dusautoir leading his team's march towards the All Blacks haka before the start of 2011 World Cup final is one of the most iconic pictures in Rugby union history. New Zealand ran out 8-7 winners in a tantalisingly close encounter at Auckland's Eden Park that evening. The two rugby heavyweights will battle it for top honours once again when the tournament kicks off in September next year. Hosts England, in spite of a patchy 2014, will mount a serious challenge for the Webb Ellis Cup. Ever since Johnny Wilkinson's dramatic last minute drop goal against Australia in the 2003 final, the Three Lions have failed to go the distance at rugby's biggest stage. While it would be difficult to bet against New Zealand winning yet another world title, expect some strong performances from South Africa and Australia. London's Twickenham Stadium will host the finale on October 31.
(September 15- December 15)
After the stupendous success of its inaugural season, football fans in the country will get treated to a longer edition of the Indian Super League in 2015. In a bid to ease the pressure on players due to its cramped schedule, the 2015 edition will be extended by two weeks. With stadiums filled to the brim, the 2014 season saw some of the best football ever played on Indian soil. Hopefully, next year will produce more of it.
(February 14- March 29)
It seems like it was only yesterday that Mahendra Singh Dhoni hoisted Nuwan Kulasekara for a massive six over long-on at a packed Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai to hand India its second World Cup title. Four years on, and the attraction of another title win beckons as Dhoni and his men will look to conquer the world in Australia and New Zealand. Easily the biggest sporting event of the year, the 11th edition of the tournament will feature 14 teams - including associate nations Ireland, Afghanistan, Scotland and the United Arab Emirates. While India has been the dominant force in one-day cricket over the last couple of years, the fast and bouncy pitches Down Under will put a young Indian team through a stern test. Australia - who last lifted the trophy in 2007 - will look to reclaim the crown on home soil. With a clinical mix of youthful exuberance and experience, Australia, with players like Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson and David Warner, have all the ingredients to clinch a fifth world title. Their major competition will come from South Africa - they would be keen to shed their "chokers" tag - and Sri Lanka - a team that has traditionally done well in the World Cup. The final will be played in Melbourne on March 29.
(March 2015)
2014 was the year of multi-franchise sports leagues in India, and none was more popular than the first season of the Pro Kabaddi League. The league was sampled by more than 435 million viewers during its five-week run. The league's mix of action and entertainment helped it gain such massive popularity. Egged on by delirious crowds, the Jaipur Pink Panthers won the 2014 season. The 2015 season, which will be flagged off in March next year, will hopefully make its popularity soar even higher.
(June 6- July 5)
The men battled it out for football's mega prize in 2014, it's the turn of the women in 2015. Spread across six venues in Canada, the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup will see a showdown between the best 24 women's football teams in the world. In Germany four years ago, Japan surprised everyone by becoming the first Asian team to win the title. USA, Germany, Sweden and Brazil will start as favourites in a tournament that will feature stars such as Nadine Angerer, Nilla Fischer, Marta and Hope Solo.
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WORLD AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
(July 24- August 9)
The Russian city of Kazan will host the 16th edition of the World Aquatics Championships. Multiple Olympic medallist and comeback man Michael Phelps will miss the championships, owing to a six-month ban slapped on him by swimming's world governing body for a case of drunken driving. Despite the American's absence, the event will see a host of world and Olympic champions in action - a long list that includes 11-time Olympic medallist Ryan Lochte, South Africa's butterfly specialist Chad le Clos, four-time Olympic backstroke champion Missy Franklin and Hungarian sensation Katinka Hosszu.
(August 22- 30)
Usain Bolt will be back at the scene of his first major triumph as he will look to defend his 200m world title. At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the Jamaican had stunned the world with a historic sprint double - smashing the world record in both the 100m and 200m events. The in-form Justin Gatlin and compatriot Yohan Blake will pose the biggest threat to Bolt, who would be eager to put an injury-hit 2014 behind him. The Bird's Nest will also in action see double Olympic champion Mo Farah in the 5,000m and 10,000m, Kenya's David Rudisha in the 800m, France's pole vault world record holder Renaud Lavillenie, and New Zealand's Valerie Adams in the shot put.
(September 18- October 31)
The image of French captain Thierry Dusautoir leading his team's march towards the All Blacks haka before the start of 2011 World Cup final is one of the most iconic pictures in Rugby union history. New Zealand ran out 8-7 winners in a tantalisingly close encounter at Auckland's Eden Park that evening. The two rugby heavyweights will battle it for top honours once again when the tournament kicks off in September next year. Hosts England, in spite of a patchy 2014, will mount a serious challenge for the Webb Ellis Cup. Ever since Johnny Wilkinson's dramatic last minute drop goal against Australia in the 2003 final, the Three Lions have failed to go the distance at rugby's biggest stage. While it would be difficult to bet against New Zealand winning yet another world title, expect some strong performances from South Africa and Australia. London's Twickenham Stadium will host the finale on October 31.
(September 15- December 15)
After the stupendous success of its inaugural season, football fans in the country will get treated to a longer edition of the Indian Super League in 2015. In a bid to ease the pressure on players due to its cramped schedule, the 2015 edition will be extended by two weeks. With stadiums filled to the brim, the 2014 season saw some of the best football ever played on Indian soil. Hopefully, next year will produce more of it.