A World of Sport in 2016 - ICC World Twenty20, Rio Olympics, Euro Soccer and Much More

The year 2016 will be a power-packed calendar for sporting enthusiasts with many showcase events slated to take place. Indian cricket fans will also be keeping a keen eye on the proceedings.

To quench the thirst of millions of sporting fans, let's start with cricket, arguably India's No. 1 sport by miles. The Twenty20 format's showpiece event, the World Cup in March-April, will be the biggest event for cricket in the calendar year.

It will be a mouth-watering prospects to see the Twenty20 specialists, we have gotten so accustomed to seeing in the Indian Premier League, don their national colours to win the bragging rights.

Hosts India are in Pool B along with bitter rivals Pakistan, South Africa, the West Indies, Ireland, Zimbabwe and United Arab Emirates.

However, before the Twenty20 showdown, India will head to Australia for five ODIs and three T20s. This will be followed with a short three-match T20 series at home against Sri Lanka.

Asian heavyweights will then square off in the Asia Cup starting February 24, which will be followed by the ICC World Twenty20.

Spain are the defending champions of Euro, but their reputation has gone down in the last few years.

© AFP

Year of the Euro

Shifting focus to football, fans will be waiting with bated breath for the Euro 2016 slated for June 10 to July 10 in France. European heavyweights will go head to head in this biennial event. Spain are the defending champions.

Besides the European showdown, there will be the usual dosage of UEFA Champions League, Premier League, La Liga and action of other leagues.

For tennis buffs, the real action starts with the first Grand Slam of the year - the Australian Open (January 18-31).

There will be two major cycling events to again keep an eye on this year. Tour de France, which starts July 2, will again be in the spotlight with Briton Chris Froome battling doping critics and Colombian hotshot Nairo Quintana.

The World Track Cycling Championships in London from March 2-6 will be an event to watch out for.

Sushil Kumar brought glory in 2012 Olympics by winning India's first silver medal in wrestling.

© AP

Rio Olympics: Can India Better London?

They say - the best is saved for the last and that's what we have done here. The biggest sporting spectacle in the world, which takes place once in four years is here and the beautiful sunbathed city of Rio will play host to it.

The Olympics is slated from August 5 to 21 and will once again witness all the top stars gather to pit their skills against each other.

Major Sporting Events in 2016:

1. India vs Australia cricket: Jan 12-31

2. Asia Cup cricket: Feb 24- March 6

3. 2016 ICC World Twenty20: March 11-April 3

4. Indian Premier League: April 9-May 29

5. Rio Olympics: Aug 5-21

6. European Championships football: June 10-July 10

7. Australian Open tennis: Jan 18-31

8. American Football Super Ball 50, San Francisco

9. World Track Cycling Championships: March 2-6

10. Snooker - World Championship: April 16-May 2

11. French Open tennis: May 22-June 15

12. Wimbledon tennis: June 27 -July 10

13. Tour de France: July 2-24

14. US Open tennis: Aug 29- Sep 11