In the year 2016 Indian sportsmen have tasted some sweet and bitter experiences. Since it was an Olympic year, everybody’s main interest was how India would perform at Rio. Unfortunately barring Sindhu, Sakshi and Dipa the rest cut a sorry figure.
But in cricket Virat Kholi led Indian team achieved tremendous success, becoming numero uno in Test cricket, which is a good sign for the future of Indian cricket.
In hockey the junior team’s performance was awesome as they lifted the Junior World Cup after a gap of fifteen years. It was a good year for India’s ace boxer Vijender Singh.
LETS look at how it went for India:
OLYMPICS DEBACLE: India fielded the highest number of athletes at Rio, with the hope of winning many medals. In total 117 athletes participated – the largest ever delegation from the time the country started its participation way back in 1920.
But in the end it proved to be a fiasco as only three could salvage the country’s prestize. In the beginning all expected Saina Nehwal to do something special, it was the another young Hyderabadi PV Sindhu, who stole the hearts of millions of Indians, winning silver – which never happened in the history of Indian sports at Olympics. And Sindhu has continued her fabulous performance winning a medal at China Open. The way she has been playing in recent times, she can do something special at All England too.
With Geeta Phogot missing, Sakshi Malik did a good job in wrestling, while Dipa Karmarkar was the cynosure of all eyes as she stunned everyone, missing a medal by whisker in gymnastics.
PARA OLYMPICS:Mariyappan, Thangavelu from Chennai won laurles, winning gold in the men’s high jump. Davatra (gold in javelin) and Varun Bhati (bronze in high jump) also won India proud.
CRICKET:It was yet another wonderful year for Indian cricket. They were almost invincible in Test cricket, winning quite a few matches. In the beginning of the year they defeated the West Indies at their home and later on their home territory India outclassed New Zealand and England.
While Virat scored tons of runs, Ashwin was outstanding with bat and ball. Virat scored 1215 runs and Ashwin picked 72 wickets. The other good important thing is, the bench strength proved their talent. Karun Nair became the only second Indian to score a triple century.
Smirti Mandhana became the first Indian woman cricketer to be named in the ICC women’s team with her fantastic show in one-day and t-20 tournaments. And Mitali Raj led Indian team also performed well in all the tournaments they played.
BOXING:The former Olympic bronze medalist Vijender stamped his class again in the WBO Asia Pacific super middlweight championship. Good news for India that the boxer is back with bang.
HOCKEY:It was good to see the junior team winning gold at Kanpur. It may have taken more than 15 years for them to repeat the show, but its a good sign for Indian hockey. And Harendra Singh as a coach was awesome. So many from this squad can make it to the senior team.
GOLF:Aditi Ashok also brought some happiness with her superb performance.
on behalf of Greattelangaana.com lets wish India sportspersons all good luck in 2017, hoping they will leave no stone unturned to win the country proud in whatever events they take part.
By Mahavadi Sudheer – DD Commentator
