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This was an eventful week in the world of sports. Here is a look back at the newsmakers and of the past week and clearly it’s the Australian Cricket team, who were the most talked about after yet another stroll in a World Cup final. Michael Clarke became the fourth Australian captain to win the crown. For India, this was indeed a week of pride with Saina Nehwal reaching the top of the Women’s rankings.
Cricket
Cricket was on the lips of every Joe on the street on the street and it was Australia all the way as they clinically dispatched New Zealand to win the ICC World Cup 2015 by 7 wickets. For the second consecutive time, the co-hosts clashed in the finals and like India landed the cup in the 2011 final in Mumbai, Michael Clarke’s Australia romped home in Melbourne.
The Australian bowlers were spot on as New Zealand had no answer to Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and James Faulkner. Steve Smith held fort while Clarke’s strokefilled 74 in his last ODI finished things off. The Aussies have now finished with an unprecedented five World Cup crowns, racing ahead of the rest of the pack.
Retirements:
The World Cup saw plenty of retirements and most of them happened to some of the greatest the world had seen and would certainly rank amongst the crème de la crème of the 21st century. The long list includes Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills, Misbah-ul-Haq and Michael Clarke (Only ODIs), Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Shahid Afridi and Brendan Taylor. The ‘Gentleman’s Game’ would surely be impoverished by the departures of some of these illustrious name, who have been terrific ambassadors for their respective countries and have left an indelible mark on the game.
Away from the pitch, Indian batsman and World Cup winner Suresh Raina got married in a grand event in Delhi, with members of the Indian team, including skipper MS Dhoni and
Batminton
Saina Nehwal — a blink and miss World No 1
India’s badminton ace, Saina Nehwal continued to make her country proud, adding yet another feather to her glittering hat by becoming the No 1 singles player. India rejoiced yet again as the Olympic medal winner reached the pinnacle of the world rankings. The joy was short-lived though as Saina was defeated in the semifinals of the Malaysia Open Super Series and subsequently, relinquished the top spot. The Hyderabad powerhouse had yet again come up short against the Chinese Li Xuerui, who gas now beaten Sania in nine out of 11 games the two have faced off.
In the men’s circuit, Kidambi Srikanth’s dream run from last month also came to a screeching halt, losing in the second round of the Malaysian Premier. Other rising stars, HS Prannoy and Parupali Kashyap also bowed out after being handed out heavy defeats in the second round.
Football
English Premier League (EPL)
Chelsea finished top of the Premier League table with a seven-point lead and a game in hand in the EPL but Charlie Adam’s wondergoal from 65 yards out was the highlight of the match. Eden Hazard’s brilliance — scoring one and setting up the other — made the difference between the two sides as Jose Mourinho’s side made yet another step in winning the league.
Manchester United meanwhile, consolidated their spot in the top four spot, with Ander Herrera growing in confidence in the side while Wayne Rooney walking away with the honours courtesy his stunning strike to notch up a 3-1 win.
Bayern exude authority: ‘The German Clasico’ as it is dubbed by the media, played by Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund yet again went in the defending champions favour. After Mario Goetze last season, it was Robert Lewandowski’s turn to score against his former club as Munich deservedly ran out winners in the Westfelstadion.
Tennis
Miami Open
Mens: With Rafael Nadal continuing his fitness fight, his peers have cashed in on it in a big way and Novak Djokovic reached yet another final, breezing past his opponents before overcoming John Isner in a tough semifinal. Andy Murray also showed his prowess by reaching the summit event to face the final on Sunday.
Womens: Serena Williams swatted aside Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2, 6-0 in the final to win her eight title. The American ace is now only four titles behind Martina Navratilova’s record in the circuit.
Doubles: Mike and Bob Bryan won the doubles title by beating Jack Sock and Vasek Pospisil 6-3, 1-6, 10-8.
Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis have reached the final and given the recent form of the Indian, it could well turn out to be yet another medal to the glittering array of medals in her kitty.
