CRICKET
West Indies-New Zealand ODI series
Centuries by Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels inspired west Indies to a 55-run win over New Zealand in the second ODI. For Gayle this was his 20th ODI ton, a new West Indian record, surpassing the previous record set by Brian Lara.
Sri Lanka-Pakistan Test Series
Sri Lanka won their first Test series in three years after the final Test against Pakistan ended in a thrilling draw in Pallekele. Sri Lanka had won the first Test at Galle by 209 -runs and took the three-Test Series 1-0.
Sri Lanka-India ODI Series
A brisk hundred by Virat Kohli helped India beat Sri Lanka by 21 runs in the first ODI. Kohli was ably supported by Virender Sehwag (96) who missed his ton by a whisker. This was fourth hundred in his last five innings by Kohli.
The second ODI was won by Sri Lanka by nine wickets. It was an absolutely contrasting performance by the Indian batsmen from their last match, as they were bundled out for a paltry 138 in only 33.3 overs.
Opener Gautam Gambhir (102) hit a calculated century and Suresh Raina played a decisive 65-run knock to power India to a thrilling five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the third one-day international. Chasing 287 to win, India overhauled the target with two balls to spare and took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Virat Kohli once again demonstrated his liking for the Sri Lankan bowling when he notched up his second century of the tour to guide India to a series-clinching win in the fourth one-day international. Kohli and Suresh Raina made short work of Sri Lanka's total of 251 for eight when they shared an unbroken partnership of 146 off 112 balls as India replied with 255 for four in 42.2 overs to take an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.
The win was India's 400th in ODIs. Kohli smashed 128 not out off 119 balls, his 13th ODI hundred and his fifth against Sri Lanka.
Irfan Pathan claimed five wickets and contributed valuable 29 runs as India managed a 20-run win over Sri Lanka in the fifth and final ODI, to complete a 4-1 series drubbing. Courtesy this win, India claimed the second spot in the ODI rankings, behind Australia, after being fourth at the start of the series.
England-South Africa Test Series
Dale Steyn claimed five for 56 to help bowl South Africa to a comprehensive innings and 12 runs victory over England in the first Test, played at The Oval. Earlier, South Africa batsman had plundered a national record 311 not out to help his team score 637 for 2 declared. Jacques Kallis scored 182 not out and skipper Smith 131 in his 100th Test.
FOOTBALL
Euro Cup, 2012
Spain defeated Italy 4-0, in the final played at Kiev, to retain the cup. They have now entered the history books as the only team that has won three major national titles in a row.
Spain put on a masterly performance with inspired and skewering passes, impenetrable defence and collective brilliance unsurpassed in this golden period of international soccer. Criticism that their tiki-taka style was dull appeared silly and fatuous.
The Spanish team scored 12 goals in the tournament and allowed only one against them. Their defence, comprising of captain Iker Casillas in goal, Alvaro Arbelo snd Gerard Pique is today the best in the world.
GOLF
British Open, 2012
South African Ernie Els won the British Open by one stroke from Adam Scott after the Australian suffered an extraordinary late collapse on the final day. World number 13 Scott, chasing his first major championship, dropped strokes at each of the last four holes, allowing Els to slip in through the back door and lift the Claret Jug with a two-under-par 68 and a seven-under total of 273.
India’s Anirban Lahiri emerged as the best Asian golfer at the British Open despite a final round of 73, his highest of the week to finish at three-over 283 that left him in tied 31st place.
TENNIS
Wimbledon, 2012
Men’s Singles: Roger Federer broke millions of British hearts by beating local hero Andy Murray to win his 7th Wimbledon title, and his first since 2009. He now shares the record for most Wimbledon wins with Pete Sampras and William Renahaw. At 30 years and 11 months, Federer also became the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title since Andre Aggasi won Australian Open in 2003.
Women’s Singles: American Serena Williams powered her way to a fifth Wimbledon title with a win over Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska. This victory made Williams the oldest women’s singles winner since Martina Navrotilova won the title in 1990, aged 33.
Men’s Doubles: Jonathan Marray of Britain and Frederik Nielsen of Denmark.
Women’s Doubles: Serena and Venus Williams of USA.
Mixed Doubles: Second seeds Mike Bryan and Lisa Raymond beat Leander Paes (India) and Elena Vesnina (Russia) to win the mixed doubles title. It was Paes and Vesnina’s second grand slam final defeat in 2012 after they lost in the Australian Open.
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