Top-Five Indian Sports Trends in 2014
There were a lot of highs that Indian sports witnessed in 2014. While some of them were purely performance related, others were trends that showed that India is moving north on the sporting charts.
- Rica Roy
- Updated: December 22, 2014 05:22 PM IST
The top trends in Indian sports in the year 2014. (Also read: Top-10 sports moments in India this year | Top-10 international sports moments this year)
5. WHEN STARS DESCENDED IN INDIA
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In 2014 India became THE destination for some of sport's biggest names. Tiger Woods came here, Usain Bolt was here and so were Federer, Djokovic and Pete Sampras. India may be yet to host 'A' list sports events but it definitely had sport's 'A'-listers enjoying the fan-following, stardom and of course the mega bucks. It may be the deep pockets of Indian businessmen that is bringing the stars to India, but it is an experience that fans are relishing.
4. SNAZZILY PACKAGED LEAGUES A BLOW TO CRICKET
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2014 was a year when cricket got a sock. Already reeling from the shock of the betting and the IPL spot fixing scandal , cricket's dominance in India was challenged by snazzily packaged Indian Kabaddi League, Indian Super League (football), and the International Premier Tennis League. Kabaddi was the biggest surprise as it attracted 435 million viewers on TV over 37 days, becoming the 2nd highest watched tournament in India after the IPL. For football and tennis fans, ISL and IPTL were ways of watching some of their heroes LIVE in action. While some of the rules of these newly packaged sports confused even the players, make no mistake that their commercial success has meant that they are here to stay!
3. HIGH FIVE FOR SANIA
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India's tennis sensation Sania Mirza had a phenomenal 2014. She capped off a terrific season with a win in the year ending WTA finals, in a year where she won her 3rd mixed doubles Grand Slam title. Sania won the US Open with first-time partner Bruno Soares . With her consistent performance throughout the year, Sania made seven WTA finals and won three titles with Zimbabwean partner Cara Black, achieving a career-best doubles world rank of number five.
2. TENACIOUS VIRAT SHOWS THE WAY
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At No. 2 is feisty Virat Kohli. India's skipper in waiting gave everyone a glimpse of what to expect when Dhoni walks into the sunset. In Adelaide he led from the front with back to back centuries. His 141 in the second innings, spanning over four and a half hours on the final day raised hopes of an Indian victory. He was like a one man army that stood tall amidst the ruins. India lost the Test but Kohli was the hero. A tough and tenacious Kohli is the reflection of the Indian team of the future, one that raises the hopes of ardent cricket fans!
1. KIDAMBI THE GIANT KILLER
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The top trendsetter of the year has to be up and coming badminton star, Kidambi Srikanth. The 21 year old caused the upset of the year in November when he beat 5- time World Champion and 2-time Olympic Champion Lin Dan in the final of the China Open Super series. He became the first Indian man to win a Super Series title. He also reached the semi-finals of the year end BWF Super Series Masters finals recently.