File photo of ICC T20 World Cup trophy
New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) The COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet, but it seems the world is adopting the life of this dreaded virus and as the churning continues, sports will be a major source of joy in 2022. going to be. Apart from the usual roster of annual tournaments like the Tennis Grand Slam and the badminton calendar, take a look at some of the extraordinary events in India and around the world.
Cricket
India’s tour of South Africa (26 December to 23 January): An entertaining Test series is currently underway in which India have made a winning start. Three matches will be followed by as many ODIs as India will see KL Rahul take the leadership role for the first time after a hamstring injury. Rohit Sharma Outside.
ICC Under-19 Men’s ODI World Cup in West Indies (January 15-February 5): Delhi batsman Yash Dhull will lead the Indian Colts as they look to add a fifth title to the country’s kitty. A total of 16 teams will compete in over 48 matches in the major age group showpieces.
ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand (March 4 to April 3): India will be contenders in the mega-event that was postponed by a year due to the pandemic. It will be a swansong for the 39-year-old Indian captain Mithali Raj, who will be aiming to leave the big stage with a bang after an illustrious career during which she is nothing less than a trailblazer for women’s cricket in India.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia (October 16 to November 13): Just a year after Australia were crowned world champions for the first time in this format, they will defend the crown at home. For the Indian team, it will be an opportunity to redeem themselves after their preliminary round exit from the tournament last year.
multi game
Winter Olympics in Beijing, China (February 4 to 20): Embraced in political controversies over China’s not so flattering human rights, the Games have already been diplomatically boycotted by superpowers such as the US and UK. The athletes, on their part, will try to ensure that their performance remains focused despite the political drama that is expected to unfold on the sidelines.
For India, who have never won a medal in a winter event, skier Arif Khan will be the first from the country to qualify in two events – slalom and giant slalom.
Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England (July 28-August 8): A happy hunting ground for Indian athletes, the Commonwealth Games will be less of a joy for the contingent this time around as it is not part of the competition’s roster. It remains to be seen how India cope with the absence of the sport which has contributed 135 medals, including 63 gold, for the country since its debut in 1966.
Asian Games in Hangzhou, China (September 10 to 25): India registered its best sporting performance in the previous edition in 2018 and will be expected to do better only in the backdrop of a stellar Olympic performance.
FOOTBALL
AFC Asian Women’s Cup in India (January 20 to February 6): This will be a major step forward for women’s football as the country is hosting a major regional tournament for the first time since 1979. Indians have a good history to motivate themselves as they have been runner-up twice in this event in 1979 and 1983.
FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India (October 11 to October 30): Another important tournament for women’s football in the country, originally planned for 2021 but had to be postponed due to COVID-19. Spain is the defending champion and the Indians will be eyeing some good performances to raise the profile of the game in the country.
FIFA Men’s World Cup in Qatar (November 21 to December 18): The first World Cup to be played in the Arab world will be a winter event, with Qatar’s scorching heat making matches during June-July impossible. Window. With allegations of corruption already in the bidding process and poor working conditions of workers engaged in infrastructure development, it remains to be seen whether the quality of football alone will be able to ensure that the focus remains on the sport.
work out
IAAF World Championships in Eugene, USA (July 15 to 24): Another marquee event that was postponed for this year due to the pandemic. Anju Bobby George remains the only Indian medalist in this biggie with a 2003 long jump bronze and India will be hoping Olympic gold-weapon Neeraj Chopra’s javelin will secure another historic medal at this year’s World Championships.
Hockey
FIH Women’s World Cup in Spain and Netherlands (July 1 to July 24): The Indian women’s hockey team has set the bar high with a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics. Rani Rampal and her teammates will be eagerly waiting to build on the positivity of that performance. His best in the World Cup was fourth in the 1974 edition and he had managed to claim eighth place in the previous edition in England.
swimming
FINA World Aquatics Championships (1 to 29 May) in Fukuoka, Japan: The biennial event is an umbrella competition for swimming, diving, high diving, open water swimming, artistic swimming and water polo. India is not going to be much of a challenger on the medal front, but the country’s competitors will still try to make a mark by improving their timing.
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