LATEST SPORTS NEWS

Yearender 2021: Messi ends Argentina’s trophy drought, Neeraj Chopra’s golden throw at Tokyo Olympics, Rishabh Pant breaches Gabba fortress

Published

4 years ago

January 2, 2022

By Abhishek Kumar

2021 has been a year unlike any for sport and sports lovers and will go down as a memorable one in the shadow the virus. In sport, there are many moments that stay in our minds beyond the runs, goals and trophies. These moments remain etched in our memories forever. Many teams scripted history while they were on peak, whereas sportspersons across the world achieved unimaginable highs. In 2021, many people lost their lives, lost hopes due to the coronavirus pandemic across the world, but it was the sport that gave motivation and opportunity to the people to celebrate life. Nothing and absolutely nothing deterred the will and motivation in the sport even when the world, as we knew it, perished under Covid-19’s onslaught. From football, cricket, tennis, and the deferred Olympics, we saw many glorious moments. Let’s have a quick recap of 2021.

Messi ends Argentina’s trophy drought

Lionel Messi ended the trophy drought for his national team after Argentina beat Brazil to lift their first international title after 1993. This was also Messi’s first international trophy with his national team. Before that, Messi had led Argentina to FIFA World Cup final in 2014 and the Copa America final in 2015 & 2016. The year also saw the Blaugrana legend swap shirts and turn out for Paris Saint Germain.

Transfers of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos

2021 was also a very strange year for sports, as no one would have predicted that the captains of Spanish rival clubs Real Madrid FC and FC Barcelona will be playing for the same team. Yes, it happened in 2021, Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos both left their iconic clubs in dramatic exits and landed at the same club, Paris Saint Germain. While Portuguese legend and former Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo left Juventus after three seasons in Italy and ended up at his former club Manchester United, after a brief heartattack for the United faithful when reports said he was headed to the other Manchester team.

Italy win Euro 2020

After failing to make it to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Italy announced their comeback in international football in a grand fashion by winning the European championship. Manager Roberto Mancini engineered the Azzurri to their second Euro title after beating England, again tantalisingly close, in a penalty shoot-out at Wembley. The Italians steamrolled through the tournament which was marked by Christian Eriksen’s collapse for Denmark.

Messi winning his 7th Balon d’Or over Robert Lewandowski

This year the Balon d’Or was awarded to former Barca and Argentina legend Lionel Messi. It was his 7th (most) in his collection. However, the sporting world was divided over this year’s Balon d’Or winner and many described this as a ‘scandal’. German media and some English media including The Guardian declared Lewandowski as the stand out player of the year.

Newcastle United’s Saudi-backed takeover

The Premier League already has some of the richest owners in club football. But no one imagined that Newcastle United will be bought by the richest owners of all. Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund owned by Mohamed Bin Salman took over the Magpies. After the official announcement, Newcastle fans celebrated outside the club and in the city.

Pant’s Gabba breach

Until this year January, no team had beaten Australia in a Test match at Brisbane’s Gabba stadium in the last 33 years. The Gabba was an impenetrable fortress with its bouncy pitch and home-crowd advantage for the Aussies. But stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane’s team finally breached the Gabba fortress. Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant shone bright in the match with his unbeaten 89. India went on to win the series for the first time in Australia.

Australia win T20 World Cup 2021

Before the tournament, no pundit had predicted that Australia would even be in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. England and Pakistan were the favourites to win the tournament, but proving everyone wrong, Aaron Finch-led Australia went on to win their first-ever T20 World Cup defeating rivals New Zealand in the final.

New Zealand crush Kohli’s dream

2013 was the year when India won an ICC trophy last time. Since then, the Men in Blue have lost in knockouts in various ICC tournaments, including the 2014 final defeat to Sri Lanka, the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy against arch-rivals Pakistan, and recently the 2021 World Test Championship final against New Zealand. The Kane Williamson-led Kiwis thrashed the Men in Blue by 8 tickets in the World Test Championship final at the Lords. All these defeats came during Virat Kohli’s captaincy. During his 7 years as captain, India had not won a single ICC tournament.

Chennai Super Kings adds one more title

India’s finest captain MS Dhoni once again led his IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings to the title. Earlier in the 2020 season of the cash-rich cricket tournament, CSK finished second last on the points table, but in 2021, the MS Dhoni-led franchise became the first team to qualify for the playoffs. CSK handed a 27-run defeat to Eoin Morgan’s Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2021 final to clinch the title for the 4th time.

Ajaz Patel’s rare feat

India defeated New Zealand in the Mumbai Test match and won the series, but it was New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel who stole the limelight. The 33-year-old Patel took all 10 wickets in a Test match innings and equalled the record of Anil Kumble and Jim Laker.

BCCI’s Kohli nama

2021 didn’t end on a positive note for Virat Kohli. After India’s poor performance in the T20 World Cup, he voluntarily stepped down from T20I captaincy. But Virat was sacked by the BCCI from the ODI captaincy. Reports suggest the BCCI had given him a 48-hour ultimatum to resign from ODI captaincy. But the 33-year-old claimed he was informed 90 minutes prior to India’s team selection for the South Africa tour. BCCI appointed Rohit Sharma as the new captain to lead the Indian side in white-ball cricket. BCCI boss Sourav Ganguly has since then ducked the fast-rising Kohli bouncer with great elan.

Neeraj Chopra’s golden throw at Tokyo Olympics 2020

In a nation beset with vegetarian-loving people, winning a javelin throw gold at the Olympics is special. The 24-year-old Haryana boy scripted history at the Tokyo Olympics and won the first-ever gold medal in the track and field category for India. Chopra delivered on the biggest stage by throwing his javelin farthest (87.58 m). He became the second Indian to win an individual gold in the Olympics after shooter Abhinav Bindra in the Beijing Olympics 2008.

Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai and the CPC

Former World no. 1 doubles Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai accused Zhang Gaoli, China’s former vice-premier, of sexual assault. The news spread like wildfire in the whole world, but she reportedly went missing. Concerned over her whereabouts took the sports fraternity by storm. However, a few weeks later a Chinese website claimed that the allegation was false and Peng Shuai is ok. The Communist Party of China seems to have blanked out all traces of the story now.

Medvedev shatters Djokovic’s dream of Grand Slam

In tennis, 2021 belonged to 20-times Grand Slam title winner, Serbian Novak Djokovic. The 34-year-old went on to win three of the 4 Grand Slam titles of the year, the Wimbledon, Australia Open, French Open. However, his dream to win all 4 titles to complete his Grand Slam was shattered by Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, who clinched his first-ever Grand Slam at the US Open.

Emma Raducanu fairytale at US Open

No one knew who Emma Raducanu was until she created history for England at US Open 2021. She became the first and only player to win the Grand Slam title as a qualifier. The 18-year-old also became the first British woman to win a Grand Slam title in 44 years.

Max Verstappen’s last-lap victory to win Formula 1 title

In one of the most dramatic finishes in Formula One history, Max Verstappen won the Abu Dhabi Grand Pix with his insane final lap over former champion Lewis Hamilton. Not all were convinced but Verstappen did win the chequered flag!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt_eSSFIhHc&t=5s

Up Next

Pro Kabaddi 2021: Updated points table, most raid points, most tackle points after Dabang Delhi vs Tamil Thalaivas

Don't Miss

Bumper home season, England, West Indies tours, T20 World Cup, Asia Cup: Here’s team India’s action packed schedule for 2022

Cricket news

India coach criticises spin bowling after New Zealand expose team flaws in 2nd ODI

India assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate admitted bowling shortcomings after New Zealand outplayed India in the second ODI, with spinners coming under scrutiny.

Published

2 days ago

January 15, 2026

[email protected]

India’s defeat in the second ODI against New Zealand brought several underlying issues to the surface, with the team’s assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate openly admitting shortcomings rather than shielding the players. The loss came on a night when senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma failed to deliver, leaving India unable to mount a serious challenge.

Speaking after the match, Ten Doeschate pointed to the bowling unit, especially the spinners, as an area that needs immediate improvement in the 50-over format.

“We probably want to bowl a little bit better than we did tonight,” he said, clearly indicating dissatisfaction with the execution, particularly in terms of bowling lengths.

Spinners under scrutiny after lacklustre performance

India managed to take only three wickets while defending their total, with pacers Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna accounting for two of them. Kuldeep Yadav picked up one wicket, dismissing Will Young, but by that stage New Zealand had already stitched together a crucial 162-run partnership for the third wicket.

Ten Doeschate acknowledged that while spin bowling was a major concern, the defeat could not be pinned on a single factor.

“Particularly spinners, like you say, about lengths. But we’ll go back and look at those lengths in more detail. But it’s never just one reason for losing a game,” he said, stressing that India’s failure was collective.

New Zealand planned early assault on Kuldeep Yadav

New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell, who was named Player of the Match, later revealed that the visitors had a clear strategy to counter Kuldeep Yadav early in his spell.

“Kuldeep is one of the best bowlers in the world, he can turn it both ways,” Mitchell said, explaining the respect India’s left-arm spinner commands.

He added that the focus was on adapting quickly and exploring different options to prevent Kuldeep from settling into a rhythm, a plan that worked effectively for New Zealand.

Cricket news

Team India explains Ayush Badoni’s ODI call-up after Washington Sundar injury

Team India has explained the rationale behind Ayush Badoni’s ODI selection, saying his all-round ability helps maintain bowling balance after Washington Sundar’s injury.

Published

3 days ago

January 14, 2026

[email protected]

Team India has addressed the debate surrounding Ayush Badoni’s surprise inclusion in the ODI squad for the New Zealand series following Washington Sundar’s injury. Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak clarified that Badoni’s selection was driven by balance requirements rather than experimentation.

Washington Sundar was ruled out of the remaining two ODIs against New Zealand due to injury, prompting the selectors to bring in the Delhi all-rounder. While the move sparked discussion, with some observers backing Riyan Parag or Rinku Singh, the team management has defended its decision.

Team management highlights need for all-round option

Speaking ahead of the second ODI, Kotak said the team could not afford to go into a match with only five bowling options, especially in the absence of Sundar.

He explained that Badoni offers flexibility, noting that if a frontline bowler were to get injured mid-match, the team would still need someone capable of bowling four to five overs. Kotak added that while Sundar is a more established all-rounder, teams often opt for players who can contribute with both bat and ball, even if bowling is a secondary skill.

Kotak also pointed to Badoni’s consistent performances in India A matches and white-ball cricket, stating that his ability to bat in the middle order and bowl right-arm off-breaks made him a like-for-like replacement in terms of team balance.

Strong domestic and India A performances

Badoni has impressed in List A cricket, scoring 693 runs in 27 matches at an average of 36.47 and a strike rate above 93. His record includes one century and five half-centuries. With the ball, he has taken 18 wickets at an economy rate of 4.54.

During the South Africa A tour of India last year, Badoni scored 66 in an unofficial ODI and delivered economical bowling spells across two matches. He also contributed during Australia A’s tour, picking up three wickets in two games while adding runs in limited opportunities.

IPL experience adds to credentials

The 24-year-old has featured in 56 IPL matches for Lucknow Super Giants, scoring 963 runs at a strike rate of 138.56. Known for his composure in the middle order, Badoni has registered six IPL half-centuries, strengthening his case as a reliable white-ball option.

Kotak wished Badoni well, expressing confidence that the youngster’s exposure at domestic, India A, and IPL levels has prepared him for the international stage.

Cricket news

No problem if Pakistan or UAE host matches, says Bangladesh official on T20 World Cup uncertainty

Bangladesh have reiterated their reluctance to play T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India, with a senior government official saying there would be no issue if Pakistan or the UAE hosted the games.

Published

4 days ago

January 12, 2026

[email protected]

With less than a month to go before the start of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, uncertainty continues over Bangladesh’s group-stage matches scheduled to be played in India. Bangladesh are slated to play four matches in the group stage — three in Kolkata and one in Mumbai — but the Bangladesh Cricket Board has expressed reservations about touring India, citing security concerns.

The issue gained traction following the release of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, on the instructions of the BCCI for undisclosed reasons. Subsequently, the Bangladesh Cricket Board approached the International Cricket Council, seeking a shift of its matches to Sri Lanka, one of the tournament’s hosts.

Amid the developments, reports have suggested that Pakistan has offered to host Bangladesh’s matches if they are moved out of India.

Bangladesh government reacts to venue row

Responding to questions on the possibility of shifting matches to another Indian city, Bangladesh government’s Sports Advisor Asif Nazrul made it clear that the concern is with playing in India, not with specific venues.

“We are talking about India, we are not talking about Kolkata. If the venue is changed from India to Sri Lanka, there is no issue,” Nazrul said on Wednesday. He added that he had seen reports claiming Pakistan had offered to host the matches, though he could not verify their authenticity.

“No problem if Pakistan or UAE host our matches,” Nazrul said, signalling openness to alternative venues outside India.

Claims over ICC security assessment

Nazrul also claimed that the Bangladesh Cricket Board had received a communication from the ICC’s security team, outlining scenarios under which the security threat to the Bangladesh team could increase. According to him, the letter mentioned the inclusion of Mustafizur Rahman in the squad, Bangladeshi supporters wearing national jerseys, and the upcoming national elections as potential risk factors.

Based on this, Nazrul asserted that Bangladesh was not in a position to play its World Cup matches in India.

ICC rejects Bangladesh advisor’s claims

The ICC, however, rejected the interpretation presented by the Bangladesh government official. An ICC source clarified that independent security assessments carried out by internationally recognised experts do not conclude that Bangladesh cannot play its scheduled matches in India.

According to the ICC, the overall security risk for the tournament in India has been assessed as low to moderate, consistent with other major global sporting events. The assessment did not identify any specific or direct threat to the Bangladesh team, officials, or match venues in Kolkata and Mumbai, and found no risks that could not be managed through standard security measures.

For now, the fate of Bangladesh’s group-stage matches remains unresolved, with the ICC yet to announce any changes to the existing schedule.