Year in Review 2008 : SPORTS

Turbanator terminated for slapping Sreesanth


The IPL Mumbai Indians stand-in captain Harbhajan Singh slapped his India team mate S Sreesanth after their ‘IPL match’ in Mohali got over. Following this the fast bowler was seen crying bitterly on the ground, images which gave reality TV across the world a run for their money. Later it was revealed that Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth after the paceman said something offensive to Harbhajan and the feisty ‘Sardar’ pounced on the stunned fast bowler. Following this Bhajji was banned for 11 matches that effectively meant the entire IPL season and ended up paying close to 3 crore for that one eventful slap.

Sachin gets Padma Vibhushan


Sachin Tendulkar is not alien to honours but the cricket icon said the Padma Vibhushan award, which he received from President Pratibha Patil in New Delhi, was close to his heart. An overwhelmed Tendulkar found it difficult to express his joy after receiving the award. The champion batsman, also the captain of the Mumbai Indians team in the Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition, missed a few matches due to a groin injury.

Dhoni gets Khel Ratna, top billing in ICC rankings


India’s ODI skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the first Indian cricketer since Sachin Tendulkar to be the No 1 ODI batsman in the ICC rankings. MS Dhoni, who was chosen as the Man-of-the-Series in the Idea Cup before the rankings were released, toppled his South African counterpart Graeme Smith off the top spot on August 28. His stock kept on rising throughout the year in 2008 and by leading the Indian XI that got the better of the all-conquering Aussies, not once but twice in a single series. Dhoni also became only the second cricketer, a decade after Sachin Tendulkar, to receive the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.

Saina Nehwal reaches top 10


Saina Nehwal ended the year on a high after sneaking into to the elite zone of top-10 players in the world. The ace Indian women shuttler has already set her eyes on breaking into top-five bracket by the end of next year but 2008 was her breakthrough year when she came into limelight with her impressive performance in the 2008 Beijing Olympics where she missed the medal by just a whisker. Even in the Singapore Open Saina defeated some top notch players and perhaps it was this confidence that fuelled her exceptional performance in Beijing. Look out for this girl, the future of Badminton in India rests on her shoulders.

Ronaldo wins Golden Ball award and Ballon d'Or


Ronaldo won the Golden Ball awarded to the European Footballer of the Year, becoming the fourth Manchester United player to take the honour and the first since fellow winger George Best in 1968. Cristiano Ronaldo was also awarded the Ballon d'Or after inspiring Manchester United to the Champions League and Premier League double.