1) Ashwin Ends 2015 as number one Test Bowller and all-rounder
- India`s off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been selected as the number one Test bowler and all-rounder in the ICC rankings for 2015. Ashwin, who took 62 wickets in nine Tests this year including 31 scalps in the four matches against South Africa, became the first India bowler since Bishen Bedi in 1973 to achieve the milestone of finishing the year on top.
- Bedi is the only India bowler to ever top the Test bowling table, while Bhagwath Chandrasekhar, Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble peaked at number-two during their careers. The 29-year-old Indian also ended the year as top-ranked Test all-rounder, which he achieved for the second time in three years.
2) Virat Kohli named Cricketer of the Year
- Indian Test captain Virat Kohli has been selected for `Cricketer of the Year` award 2015, while Mithali Raj was picked for the top women`s award in the BCCI annual honours to be given away on 5th January in Mumbai. Under Kohli, the Indian team ended a 22-year wait for a series win on Sri Lankan soil before battering world No.1 South Africa to give them their first overseas loss in nine years.
- Kohli has done well and scored 640 runs in 15 Test innings. In his 20 ODI outings this year, Kohli managed to make 623 runs.
- Mithali, on the other hand, became the first Indian woman and second overall to complete 5,000 runs in ODI format this year. Mithali will be presented with the M A Chidambaram Trophy for the best women`s cricketer.
3) Govt decides to organise National School Games in big way
- Center Government has decided to organise National School Games in a big way at four-five venues in the country every year in order to groom talent from a young age.
- According to a Sports Ministry release the objective is to ensure proper promotion and development of various games at the school level with the twin aim of early identification of talent and ensuring physical fitness of children. For the purpose of efficient organization of the Games, the Department of Sports is joining hands with the School Games Federation of India.