World of Sports in 2015

Kohli's vibrant leadership in Tests; FIFA scandal; Sania and Paes reach pinnacle of glory and WADA on doping issue are highlights of 2015.

The year 2015 has many ups and downs in the world of sports. Sania Mirza reaching great heights; FIFA's suspension of Blatter and Platini; Australia winning the World Cup 2015; India defeating Sri Lanka and South Africa to reach No.2; WADA's suspension of Russian anti-doping agency; Saina Nehwal's mediocre year and many others....

World of Sports in 2015

• » India vs SL: India's victorious tour of Sri Lanka.
• » India-Pak series: PCB to give up on India-Pakistan series.
• » Badminton 2015: Saina shines in a subdued season for Indian badminton.
• » Wrestling 2015:Sushil-Narsingh tussle, PWL hog spotlight in Indian wrestling.
• » Boxing: Vijender delivers hat-trick of knockout wins.
• » Indian Test cricket: Kohli leads a new dawn of Indian cricket.
• » Athletics: WADA suspends Russian anti-doping agency.
• » India-SA Test series:Rampaging India at No.2 in ICC Test rankings
• » World T20 championship: Dhoni to remain captain till World T20.

• Australia wins fifth World Cup

  Black Caps rode to the pinnacle of international cricket on the back of an aggressive brand of the game.
• Sania, Martina clinch WTA Finals doubles title

  Sania and Martina, the top seeds, prevailed 6-0 6-3 over their eight-seeded rivals in a lopsided summit clash which lasted little over an hour.
• FIFA bans Blatter and Platini for eight years

  Found guilty of ethics violations, the embattled duo denies wrongdoing and says will appeal to CAS.
• Djokovic and Williams named 2015 ITF World Champions

  Djokovic, Serena Williams have been named ITF World Champions for 2015, after both players won three Grand Slam titles.

Schedule of T20 World Cup 2016

This was a fine year for several Indian athletes. Some earned quota places for next year’s Rio Olympics, while others made their mark by winning medals in elite events.

The Hindu showcases the best Indian action this year from six disciplines the country’s athletes are expected to excel in at the Olympics.

Crowning glory in 2015

The following is a factfile of Indian tennis ace Leander Paes, who has won his 17th Grand Slam title. Paes won the Olympic bronze medallist in 1996. Despite having won only one career title in his singles career, Paes has a phenomenal record in the doubles. His total doubles career titles is 55 and his mixed career title is 9.

Leander Paes factfile

Paes records

• » Olympic bronze medallist in 1996
• » Career titles -- Singles: 1; Doubles: 55
• » Mixed Doubles: Career titles: 9.
• » Recent victories: Mixed doubles: Australian Open 2015, Wimbledon 2015, US Open 2015.
• » 1999: Wimbledon/Grass, partner Lisa Raymond beat Anna Kournikova and Jonas Bjorkman
• » 2003: Australian Open/Hard, partner Martina Navratilova beat Eleni Daniilidou and Todd Woodbridge.
• » 2003: Wimbledon/Grass, partner Martina Navratilova beat Anastassia Rodionova and Andy Ram.
• » 2008: US Open/Hard, partner Cara Black beat Liezel Huber and Jamie Murray.
• » 2010: Australian Open/Hard, partner Cara Black beat Ekaterina Makarova and Jaroslav Levinsky.
• » 2010: Wimbledon/Grass, partner Cara Black beat Lisa Raymond and Wesley Moodie.
• » 2015: Australian Open partner Martina Hingis; Wimbledon, partner Martina Hingis; US Open partner Martina Hingis
• » 1999: French Open/Clay, partner Mahesh Bhupathi beat Goran Ivanisevic and Jeff Tarango
• » 1999: Wimbledon/Grass, partner Mahesh Bhupathi beat Paul Haarhuis and Jared Palmer.
• » 2001: French Open/Clay, partner Mahesh Bhupathi beat Petr Pala and Pavel Vizner.
• » 2006: US Open/Hard, partner Martin Damm beat Jonas Bjorkman and Max Mirnyi.
• » 2009: French Open/Clay, partner Lukas Dlouhy beat Wesley Moodie and Dick Norman.
• » 2009: US Open/Hard, partner Lukas Dlouhy beat Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles.
• » 2012: Australian Open/Hard, partner Radek Stepanek beat Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan.
• » 2013: US Open/Hard, partner Radek Stepanek beat Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares.

Paes-Hingis win US Open mixed doubles title

Paes now has nine Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, surpassing compatriot and former partner Mahesh Bhupathi’s record of eight

I have guts to go after my goals: Paes

Soon after he won his historic U.S. Open title, Paes said more than the technique it is his never-say-die spirit that has got him success.

Paes wins 16th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon

Seventh seed Indo-Swiss pair drubbed the fifth seed Austrian-Hungarian team 6-1 6-1 in the lop-sided summit clash which was over in just 40 minutes.

A century of men’s doubles partners now for Paes

When Paes took court with Marcel Granollers at the Aegon Open in Nottingham, on Wednesday, the Spaniard was his 100th partner.

Paes-Bhupathi combine magic works

Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi joining hands — in tune with the wishes of their thousands of fans and friends — to once again conquer the ATP tour does not seem likely in the near future. It could also never happen at all.

Paes-Bhupathi pair named World champion

The International Tennis Federation on Tuesday named Indians Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi as its men's doubles World champions. Paes and Bhupathi reached the finals of all four Grand Slam events, winning the French Open and Wimbledon, and also finished 1999 as World No. 1 pair.