Year in review: Unforgettable sports moments in 2023

As the calendar year turned over, so did the year in sports.

There were historic winning streaks and inspiring superhuman feats, massive scandals, ascending stars, fallen heroes, a memorable World Cup, and much more. As 2024 looms, Mid-Day pinpoints the five storylines that defined Indian sports this year.

Glowing with success

Holding the bow with her right foot and pulling back its string with a tiny hook tucked under her chin, India's 16-year-old Sheetal Devi let fly, leaving others in awe. With pinpoint accuracy, her arrow flew across the ground and punctured the centre of the board brilliantly with a loud pop.

Discovered at a military camp in a remote area of J&K's Kishtwar and adopted by the Indian Army in her childhood, Devi became the first armless woman to win a Para World Archery Championships medal in July and subsequently the first Indian woman to win twin gold in a single edition of the Asian Para Games.

The Praggnanandhaa effect

R Praggnanandhaa, all of 18, took the chess world by storm by becoming the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to reach the World Chess Final. Initiated into the sport at the behest of his parents, who aimed to shield him from prolonged television exposure, Pragg, affectionately known as such, has forged an individual trajectory towards success.

Questions somehow remain on his opening repertoire but the teen is undeniably a force to be reckoned with in the rapid and blitz formats. His remarkable feat in the 2023 FIDE World Cup has turned the spotlight firmly on him even as compatriots like D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi kept reminding us about the impact of chess on the Indian youth in recent years.

The unstoppable spirit of Sunil

When it comes to the title of India's best player in modern-day football, one name stands above all others, Sunil Chhetri. The 39-year-old's genius on the football pitch is undeniable. His close ball control, dribbling ability, sight, and playmaking skills have redefined the role of a forward. Whether it's dribbling past multiple defenders, delivering inch-perfect assists, or scoring breathtaking goals, Chhetri can do it all with astonishing ease - a glimpse of which was witnessed during India's emphatic win over a formidable Lebanese side in the Hero Intercontinental Cup in June this year.

Cummins stuns Motera

Australian captain Pat Cummins had the humongous task of beating an invincible Team India in their own backyard in the Cricket World Cup final in November. With some sharp bowling, great field settings and a blistering century from opener Travis Head, Australia repeated the heroics of the 2003 World Cup final, crushing India's Incredible 10-match winning streak to absolute nothingness as their wait for an ICC trophy continued. Having embodied the spirit of Australia's ‘never give up' mantra, Cummins scalped 15 wickets and amassed 128 crucial runs from eight innings in the tournament.

Wrestling's ‘veil of shame'

Months came and weeks passed but Indian wrestling and mayhem never ran out of synchronism. During the inauguration of the new Parliament house in the capital, Delhi Police's alleged manhandling of India's most prominent wrestlers made for the most distressing image of the year. The horrific images from Delhi's Jantar Mantar were a stark contrast to how the likes of Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat were viewed prior to the protests, as champions with glowing pictures on their respective podiums. The saga continues to this date after alleged accused BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's close aide Sanjay Singh was recently elected as the new president of the wrestling federation.

Although the newly-elected body was suspended by the government, the controversy seems far from over. Sakshi Malik consequently announced her retirement from wrestling, while Bajrang Punia returned his Padma Shri award as a mark of protest. Multiple-time World Championships medalist Vinesh Phogat too joined forces and returned her Khel Ratna and Arjuna awards.