Sports flashback 2021: Here are 21 game changers

By Mohammed Rumman Khan 

PAK STOP INDIA’S WINNING STREAK IN WORLD CUPS

In their 13th attempt in World Cups, Pakistan finally beat India in a group match in T20 World Cup in October in epic fashion. A thoroughly “professional” outing in Dubai from the Babar Azam-led side inflicted India’s biggest defeat in T20Is as Pakistan became the first team to beat it by 10 wickets.

MSD, THE CAPTAIN, LEADER, LEGEND!

After finishing seventh in the IPL last season in the UAE, MS Dhoni and his Chennai Super Kings staged the most perfect of comebacks, winning their fourth IPL title in Dubai. Eoin Morgan’s Kolkata Knight Riders were beaten by 27 runs.

SENSATIONAL SINDHU

Indian shuttler PV Sindhu won the bronze medal in women’s singles badminton at the Tokyo Olympics becoming the second consecutive Olympic medal winner in two consecutive Olympics.

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Manipur MIRAcle in Tokyo OLY

Mira Bai Chanu, won a Silver medal in 49 Kg Weightlifting, which was the second-ever medal in the Weightlifting discipline in Olympics.

KIWIS RULE TEST CRICKET

Two years after they lost the ODI World Cup to England in 2019, New Zealand took the fi rst-ever World Test Championship title, beating India in the fi nal in June in Southampton.

AAMCHI AJAZ’S 10-FER

Ajaz Patel became only the third bowler to take all ten wickets in a Test innings, against India in Mumbai. The singular achievement couldn’t salvage a win for New Zealand, though, who lost the series and slipped to No. 2 on the Test rankings.

AUS FINALLY CONQUER T20 WC

A trans-Tasman final at the T20 World Cup and Australia ticked the only unchecked box on their trophy list. Mitchell Marsh’s 77 off 50 trumped Kane Williamson’s 85 off 48 to make Australia T20 World Cup champions for the first.

DEEP BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOUR

2021 saw the resurgence of Chelsea as a European powerhourse as they went on to win the Champions League. They went on a superb run beating Atletico Madrid, Porto and Real Madrid before running into Manchester City, the best team in England, in the final.

AUS DECIMATE DISASTOROUS ENG, RETAIN ASHES

England's year ended with a horror tour of Australia, the Ashes scoreline at 3-0 after hiding in Melbourne. Australia retained the Ashes, while England’s long wait for a series win down underwent on and Joe Root’s captaincy came under intense scrutiny.

PARALYMPIANS MAKE INDIA PROUD

At the Tokyo paralympics 2021, Indian para-athletes won 19 medals for the country- five gold, eight silver and six bronze—making it one of the best campaigns in India's sporting history.

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE & REAPPEARANCE OF SHUAI

China’s star tennis player Peng Shuai ‘disappeared’ from public view after she accused the former vice-premier of China Zhang Gaoli of sexually assaulting her. Her disappearance was seen as an alleged result of Chinese authorities taking offense to her making these claims. On November 2 Peng put a post on Sina Weibo - a twitter-like platform used in China.

TIM PAINED!

Just before the Ashes, explicit messages Tim Paine sent a co-worker in 2017 came to light, and details of a CA investigation that had cleared him back then. Paine stood down as Australia Test captain, paving the way for Pat Cummins to become the fi rst fast bowler to lead Australia since Ray Lindwall in 1956.

INDIA BREACH THE GABBA FORTRESS

Virat & co became the first team to beat Australia at The Gabba in over 32 years when they defeated the hosts by three wickets in the fourth and final Test and clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1.

BARCELONA IMPLODED AFTER DEPARTURE

Barcelona collapsed both in Liga and Champions League. The Catalan giants, for the fi rst time since 2001, were knocked out in the league stage of Champions League while they are languishing at seventh spot in Liga, 18 adrift leaders Real.

MESSI IN 7TH HEAVEN

Lionel Messi won the men’s Ballon d’Or for a record seventh time and Alexia Pu