Sporting reflections

2012 was stage for some incredible sporting moments, abetted by being an Olympic year. There were a few falls from grace but over all it proved to be one for the albums. Here is my list of the events in the sporting world that set the flash bulbs in over drive.

Rafa and Nole played the longest final in grand slam history at 5 hours 53 minutes. That Novak came out on top against the most tireless of them all is testimony to his fitness, both mental and physical. Men's tennis has never been better and lets hope we get to see an encore in a few days time.

Chelsea might have had their struggles but they landed the Champions League for the first time trumping Bayer Munich in penalties. Benitez is at the helm right now in a tumultuous time for coaches and the blues may find it tough to land any silver ware this year.

She has called her movement akin to a cow on snow when playing in clay earlier. Nevertheless, the same bovine movement helped Maria Sharapova capture her first French Open title. She remains the only consistent threat to the hegemony of Serena in women's tennis and this may prove to be another fruitful year for her.

Records are not new to Nadal but even he would have rejoiced this one. A seventh Roland Garros title defeating the man to beat would have tasted sweet. He was sidelined with troublesome knees after that and has not returned to the scene since but one would not bet against an eighth win come May later this year.

Euro 2012 anointed Spain as the undisputed leaders of the beautiful game. Their margin of four goals over Italy was the biggest for any Euro decider and the world champions showed that they are a league apart when it comes to winning the big ones. Missing out on an Olympic medal would have rankled though.

Roger Federer returned to the hallowed SW19 lawns in a bid to stall the rampaging Djokovich. Not only did he conquer his record equaling seventh title, he sent out a loud warning to his competitors that he is not yet done. May this year continue to bear fruits for the GOAT.

Bradley Wiggins became the first man to win the Tour De France title. His feats at the Olympics only cemented his place in the annals of the greatest British athletes. Armstrong on the other hand was stripped of his titles for refusing to fight dope charges. The cycling world did come round a full circle last year.

London hosted the biggest party in the world with the summer games. Phelps finished his career with 18 golds and that mark should stand the test of time. Bolt delivered on his promise to become a legend by leaving the beast in his wake. Rudisha won the 800m without a pace setter and Britain pushed Russia to the fourth position at their home games.

Rory McIlroy roared and announced his arrival in earnest bagging the PGA Championships title with  record eight shot margin. Now only if his good friend Caroline Wozniaki can replicate trophy winning form this year. With Woods getting back some of his form, this could be an interesting year for golf.

Andy Murray became the first player since Fred Parry to win a grand slam title by landing the US Open. This after the Olympics gold ended the year on a high for the Brit and should propel him onto bigger things this year.

West Indies won the T20 cricket world cup defeating the Lankans at home. This could be the fillip, the Caribbean nations need to launch their way back into cricketing glory. Marlon Samuels played the knock of his life the and Gangnam celebrations just highlighted what joy these men can have and give.

Sebastian Vettel became the youngest triple world champion in F1 and underlined his dominance in the motor sport that once his Compatriot ruled. Red Bull provided the best car and a challenged from Ferrari and Alonso may become tougher this season. 

Sach a joke

He says it was always about India. I guess he was talking about a one man India there. Retiring after the world cup would have turned a team victory into deeply personal one. Again, I guess he places the average Indian intellect on such a lowly pedestal that the cricket loving junta would have forgotten the achievement and rather have mourned the exit that was long over due. Then he waits for another couple of years to make sure India forgets the momentous achievement of a world cup win and there is no association between his retirement and the feat. If all that is not worth a chuckle, a book of a thousand most popular jokes wouldn't help either. Why doesn't he say that he waited to milk the last drop from his endorsement deals before calling it quits. The wrong lies as much in his hypocritical reasoning as his sticky demeanor. After plunging to abysmal depths of performance, he decides to give up the ODIs. That reminds me of the philanthropist who donates his tattered umbrella in the month of May when asked why he holds on to all his empire like a water bottle in the desert. The art of deflecting criticism is innate to Indian politicians and he has stood true to that. Now that there has been one retirement, he can extend his advertisement revenues for another umpteen number of years holding onto one seat on the plane that takes the Indian cricket team to their playing fields. After all, you cannot retire twice in quick succession and it helps India that you don't go out at the top. A master stroke from the little jester.

To kill a mocking bird

So, it happens. The wise men in the Indian cricket selection committee go ahead and drop three players to show that they still hold the flogging stick. Harbhajan, who didn't get to play at the place where he first made his name should wonder if only he could bat a bit more, he could have pipped Ashwin for a spot. Such are the straits Indian cricket currently dwells in. Yuvraj might wonder how much worse has he done than some of his more illustrated compatriots to have the axe fall on him. Zaheer obviously would have been relieved not to be spending any more time in the winter sun chasing balls that look more like chicken for him. The skipper talks of taking responsibility when times are tough just as someone else says its selfish to retire on the top. If only the Indian spinners could give a naughty spin to their deliveries as these men. Its been an exercise that reeks of hypocrisy and farce. One would guess that if these three were deemed fit to go, the whole team bar a couple needed to accompany them. Guess sitting ducks are not just there for idiomatic usage. Long live the BCCI.

For all the talk of revenge, the real deal happened at the Etihad yesterday and the Manchester derby did live up to its billing. RVP scored a thriller in injury time to snatch it for the red devils. Mancini's side have been a shadow of their former selves and having been knocked out of the Champs league, the remaining big prize in the league also seems to be slipping away. Liverpool got the better of the Hammers while the London biggies Gunners and Chelsea also bagged the maximum points. 

The Aussies have picked Phil Hughes to fill the big boots left by Ricky and one can just hope he carries over his domestic form to the test arena. He may not get a better attack than the Lankans (barring the current Indian side) at home to cement his position. Khawaja and a couple of others lie in anxious wait if he revisits his failing outside off.

The last punt

Ricky left the game he so loved in the same manner he played it, tough as nails. His scores had begun to betray that father time had crept silently upon the great warrior and he was the first to admit it. It takes a special man to identify his decline from the art he has practiced and loved all his life. One doesn't need to look far than the Indian dressing room how self consuming and blinding the thirst to keep playing can be. Ponting won more than a century of test matches and that is a legacy he would be proud of. He played the game with the sole purpose of winning and his record bears that out. The pulls and hooks are now part of folklore and for a small man, the punch that he packed was a treat to watch. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was detested at times as much as he was adored but when the time came to leave the baggy green behind, the world was united in applause and respect. If there is one thing that the elephant in the Indian dressing room can learn from Ponting, its that it takes a lifetime to earn respect and only a few days to lose it. Take a bow Punter.

The Proteas consolidated their position as the number one test team with a prolific win at the WACA. Steyn and company finished what Amla and De Villiers had started. They came out through difficult scenarios in Adelaide and have discovered a new talent in Du Plessis. If only they can find a good bench strength in the fast bowling department, the Saffas' rule at the top can be assured to be a prolonged one. Australia stand at cross roads again with only the two Michaels providing some succor. The bowling is brittle with almost every single seamer on the verge of a break down. The batting cupboard looks bare and there is nobody in sight to replace the punter. Waiting to see how they cope when they visit the subcontinent in the coming months.