It’s been a hugely engaging year for sport in India. What’s made it even more remarkable is that cricket has played a negligible role in capturing public imagination — outside of the Supreme Court, of course! First up, I choose my Performer of The Year, who is 21-year-old shuttler Kidambi Srikanth. Beating the Chinese in badminton is an achievement in itself; to beat five-time All England champion Lin Dan in the China Open was extraordinary.
Only a few months before the tournament, Srikanth (now ranked fourth in the world) was seriously ill and it redounds to his resolve and ambition as much to his talent that he could prove himself so wonderfully on the international stage.In fact, badminton has emerged as the sport where Indians have made the biggest strides. Saina Nehwal (ranked fourth currently, but has been number two earlier) and P.V. Sindhu are those who have earned renown. But there is a whole clutch of talented players, men and women, who look good to dismantle the hegemony of China, Korea and Malaysia.
Another Hyderabadi, Sania Mirza, too had a great year. Not only were there many doubting Thomases about her ability to survive in international tennis, but she was also agonizingly dragged into a political controversy. This seemed to bring the best out of Sania, however, and she reaped rich accolades and titles (three Grand Slam and WTA final) after sticking to doubles play in 2014.
Evergreen M.C. Mary Kom made it a wonderful year for Indian women by winning the gold at the Asian Games. Immortalised in a biopic on her life, the doughty mother aims to give a last shot at an Olympic gold in Rio 2016.
Hockey, despite the unseemly fracas over coach Terry Walsh, has seen arguably it’s biggest surge in popularity and performances in several decades. The unfortunate and in my opinion needless controversy over Sarita Devi obscured a fairly good performance by boxers. Sarita was lucky to get only a year’s suspension, has hopefully learnt her lesson and make herself medal-worthy.
