2022 is almost in its final week, with the return of Covid, Bollywood’s failing to big sports events, the year was memorable in many ways. There were several big tournaments apart from the annual IPL, the Asia Cup, the Commonwealth Games, the T20 World Cup and the Football World Cup which kept fans on their toes. And chewing their nails.
Here are some of the best sports moments of 2022 which made millions of sports fans emotional, cheerful and what not.
Cricket is religion in India, so let’s deal with it first. There was everything for Team India to achieve and prove this year but the Indian team broke the hearts of fans in big tournaments. First, the Asia Cup loss to Sri Lanka gave a sad trailer and then the humiliating defeat in the T20 World Cup semi-finals was a film no one would want to buy tickets for. The cherry on the cake was the Indian women’s cricket team’s silly loss in women cricket’s debut finals at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Kohli’s Virat form and Surya’s shining moments
Yes, it is true that this year has not been a memorable one for Indian cricket and their fans but Team India’s star batsman Virat Kohli and rising star Suryakumar Yadav impressed with their batting brilliance and consistency.
How can one forget that heart-stopping India-Pakistan match in T20 World Cup 2022 when Virat Kohli snatched the game from Pakistan’s clutches with his powerhouse innings. His two back-to-back sixes against Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has become immortal in the hearts of Indian fans.
Virat Kohli has been ruling the world of cricket for the last decade, but in a true sense, Indian fans got maximum joy this year from middle order batsman Suryakumar Yadav. Surya impressed everyone with his fearless approach and ability to play shots all around the ground. SKY, who took the entire year by storm, proved that after Dhoni, Virat and Rohit, there is another batsman on whom Indian fans can put their trust on.
Now that cricket’s done, let’s have a look at other big sports.
Messi’s dream comes true, heartbreak for Ronaldo and Neymar
The FIFA World Cup 2022 held in Qatar saw many beautiful moments. What’s football if it isn’t emotional leaving fans all over the world in varying moods. The dream of every star player is to win the World Cup. Argentina legend Lionel Messi got his beautiful moment, but Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo’s dream remained unfulfilled this time too as Morocco blanked out his team in the quarterfinals.
The condition of Brazilian star Neymar Jr was similar when his team was eliminated in the quarter-finals. Neymar burst into tears though he hasn’t ever held back the tear glands. Every tear from his eyes screamed out how much winning the World Cup meant to him.
World witnessed Federer, Nadal, crying their heart out
Sport teaches everything as it lets you experience victory, defeat, discipline, patience, hard work and several other facets of life. In 2020, there were some moments when players were unable to hide their emotions behind their steel facade and left their fans emotional too.
Remember the last match of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal when both started crying inconsolably after the match. In September 2022, Federer announced that he will play his last professional match in the Laver Cup. Nadal was his partner in Federer’s last match. Destiny left its mark on the match when it didn’t let these top-ranked stars playing together win.
After the match, Federer cried like a child. Seeing tears in his partner’s eyes, Nadal could not help it and he too became emotional. Whoever saw this moment must have had moist eyes as well.
Praful Hinge is an emerging Indian fast bowler who grabbed attention after a remarkable debut in the Indian Premier League. Representing Sunrisers Hyderabad, the young pacer made headlines by taking three wickets in a single over, a rare and impactful feat in T20 cricket.
His performance came against Rajasthan Royals, where he turned the game with a decisive spell, announcing his arrival on the big stage.
Domestic cricket background
Hinge hails from Nagpur and has been associated with the Vidarbha cricket team in domestic cricket. Like many cricketers rising through India’s competitive system, his progress at the domestic level paved the way for his IPL opportunity.
While detailed statistics from his domestic career remain limited in public reports, his selection in the IPL reflects recognition of his potential and performances.
Bowling style and strengths
Praful Hinge is a right-arm fast bowler known for:
Maintaining a disciplined line and length
Ability to generate movement off the pitch
Effectiveness in short, impactful spells
His debut spell highlighted composure under pressure, especially in a high-intensity league like the IPL.
Breakthrough IPL moment
Making an immediate impact in the IPL is never easy, but Hinge’s three-wicket over on debut stands out as a defining moment. Performances like these often play a key role in shaping a young cricketer’s early career and gaining attention from teams and selectors.
A promising start
Praful Hinge’s debut has positioned him as a young fast bowler to watch. While it is still early in his career, such impactful performances suggest potential for further opportunities in domestic and franchise cricket.
Rising cricket prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is reportedly on the verge of earning his first senior India call-up following an impressive run in IPL 2026. The 15-year-old batter has been shortlisted for the upcoming India tour of Ireland, according to multiple reports.
The young Rajasthan Royals player has quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about talents this season, delivering impactful performances that have caught the attention of selectors.
Strong performances boost selection chances
Sooryavanshi’s explosive batting in IPL 2026 has played a key role in pushing his case for national selection. Representing Rajasthan Royals, the teenager has consistently taken on top bowlers with confidence, showcasing both aggressive stroke play and maturity beyond his age.
Reports suggest he is among several young players being monitored for India’s Ireland tour, with selectors looking to test emerging talent in a relatively shorter series.
Could become youngest India debutant
If selected and given an opportunity, Sooryavanshi could script history by becoming one of the youngest players to represent India at the international level. At just 15, he would surpass long-standing age records set by former greats like Sachin Tendulkar, who debuted at 16.
The potential milestone has added further excitement around the youngster, whose rapid rise through domestic and franchise cricket has been closely followed by fans and experts alike.
Future tours also on radar
Apart from the Ireland series, reports indicate that Sooryavanshi could also be considered for other upcoming assignments later in 2026, including a possible tour of Zimbabwe. His consistent performances and fearless approach have made him a strong contender for continued inclusion in India’s plans.
Guwahati weather poses threat to RR vs MI blockbuster as rain delays toss
The IPL 2026 clash between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians faces a delay as the Guwahati weather brings persistent rain to the Barsapara Cricket Stadium.
The much-anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 encounter between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) has hit a weather hurdle. Scheduled to take place at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, the toss for Match 13 has been officially delayed due to persistent rain in the city.
Rain intensifies at Barsapara Stadium
The Guwahati weather has taken a turn for the worse as heavy drizzle forced the groundstaff to keep the pitch and square under covers. While the rain had momentarily eased, allowing for a brief inspection, it returned shortly after, frustrating both fans and players. According to media reports, the probability of rain during match hours has surged to nearly 50%, a significant increase from earlier forecasts.
Cut-off time and over reductions
As the clock ticks, the pressure on the match officials increases. Overs were scheduled to start being reduced from 8:40 PM IST. For those hoping for at least a shortened game, the cut-off time for a minimum five-over-a-side contest has been established at 10:56 PM IST. The city remains under a weather alert, with cloud cover expected to be a major factor throughout the evening.
High-stakes encounter on hold
Rajasthan Royals enter this game with a perfect record, having won their first two matches of the season. On the other hand, Mumbai Indians, led by Hardik Pandya, are looking to bounce back after a mixed start. A key highlight of this match is the potential battle between 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and the experienced Jasprit Bumrah.
Historically, the two teams share a fierce rivalry, with Mumbai holding a slight edge with 16 wins compared to Rajasthan’s 14 in their 31 previous meetings.
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