Indian Sports in 2015: A Lookback at Best Moments
Virat Kohli leading India to their first Test series victory in 11 years against South Africa was the highlight of 2015. The exploits of Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal also made India proud in 2015 while Force India finally made a mark in Formula One.
The year 2015 saw India achieve tremendous success in various sports. Be it defeating South Africa in a Test series for the first time in over a decade, Saina Nehwal taking the top spot in the badminton rankings or Sania Mirza winning grand slams just for fun, the country made a lot of progress in the world of sports. Here are the best sporting moments for India to remember:
Virat Kohli's Boys Conquer the Best Test Side
India under Virat Kohli beat South Africa 3-0 in the four-match Test series. The Proteas had not lost a Test series away from home since 2006 and not lost one to India since 2004. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were the stars taking 31 and 23 wickets respectively to script a memorable series victory. (India Conquer South Africa at Kotla; Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav Help Win Series 3-0)
Rohit Sharma Recommended for Arjuna Award by BCCI
The Board of Control for Cricket in India nominated Rohit Sharma for the Arjuna Award on April 26. The Mumbaikar rewrote the world record of the highest individual ODI score in an innings last year by blazing 264 against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens in November 2014.
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 Saina Nehwal Becomes World No. 1
Saina Nehwal became the first Indian woman to become world number one after Carolina Marin lost in the India Open Super Series semifinal in March. As a result, Saina climbed to the top of the rankings. She lost the number one ranking but regained it in August. (Saina Nehwal Regains World No.1 Spot)
India Win Bronze in FIH Hockey World League Final
India put up a magnificent show to clinch the bronze medal at the FIH Hockey World League Final by defeating Netherlands in a thrilling penalty shootout in Raipur. The win ended the year on a high for the home team after their impressive show in the Commonwealth and Asian Games in 2014. (FIH Hockey World League Final, Highlights: India Beat Netherlands in Shootout to Win Historic Bronze)
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 Sania Mirza-Martina Hingis Win Wimbledon
Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis won the women's doubles title in Wimbledon after a stunning comeback. They overcame second-seeded Russian duo of Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina 5-7, 7-6, 7-5 in the summit clash that lasted two hours and 47 minutes. They later proved their success was no flash in the pan as they also lifted the US Open crown in September. In all, the duo won seven further titles and the International Tennis Federation crowned the duo as doubles world champion. (Sania Mirza-Martina Hingis Make Stunning Comeback to Win Wimbledon Doubles Title)
Sania Mirza Becomes World No.1 in Doubles Tennis
Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis won the women's doubles title in Wimbledon after a stunning comeback. They overcame second-seeded Russian duo of Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina 5-7, 7-6, 7-5 in the summit clash that lasted two hours and 47 minutes. They later proved their success was no flash in the pan as they also lifted the US Open crown in September. In all, the duo won seven further titles and the International Tennis Federation crowned the duo as doubles world champion. (Sania Mirza-Martina Hingis Make Stunning Comeback to Win Wimbledon Doubles Title)
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Force India Secure Best-Ever Fifth-Place Finish in Formula One Team Standings
Force India secured their best ever finish in Formula One after they finished fifth in the 2015 season. Nico Hulkenberg sixth-place finish in the Brazilian Grand Prix ensured that the team would break in the top five for the first time in their seven-year history. The team finished 10th in its maiden season in 2008 and was sixth in 2013 and 2014. They took their their tally to 120 points, 44 ahead of sixth-placed Lotus. (Force India Secure Best-Ever Fifth-Place Finish in Formula One)
Satnam Singh Makes NBA History
Satnam Singh became the second second Indian-origin basketball player after Sim Bhullar to feature in the NBA. He was the first Indian to be drafted into the NBA League when Dallas Mavericks picked the Punjab hoopster to feature on its roster on June 26.
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Vijender Singh Starts Professional Boxing Career With a Bang
Vijender Singh beat Britain's Sonny Whiting to win his first professional boxing bout on October 10. He went on to win his next two fights against Dean Gillen and Samet Hyuseinov to complete a hat-trick of victories. (Vijender Singh Knocks Out Samet Hyuseinov to Complete Hattrick of Wins in Pro Boxing)
Abhishek Verma Makes History in Archery World Cup Final
Abhishek Verma bagged India's first ever Archery World Cup Final medal in the compound section as he won the silver medal after being pipped by Turkey's Demir Elmaagcli in the summit clash. The 26-year-old, an Asian Games individual silver medallist, beat Mario Cardoso in the semis.