Mumbai sporting reclamation

The Mumbai side beat five-time champs Army Red 7-0 in Premiere Div One, after a defensive classic. In 2013, the hurting Reds are likely to come back hard as Bombay Gym hosts the All India.

Foot in the door for RAHANE

HIS George Headleyesque first-class average notwithstanding, the last 12 months proved exasperating for Ajinkya Rahane. While he played 11 ODIs in his maiden 2011 season, 2012 limited him to a solitary ODI and five T20s.

The prolific right-hander did impress with a couple of belligerent knocks against Pakistan toward the end of the year, but overall there was little scope for him to make a significant impression on the big stage.

The coming year is sure to witness a radical change in the Indian team. There will be a lot more clarity on the futures of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, which should open the doors for Rahane to make an elusive Test debut and give him more opportunities in ODIs.

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP cricket

From January 31, eight best women's teams in the world will lock horns in the city for the 10th WC. This is the third time India is hosting the event introduced in 1973, two years before the men's World Cup. The hosts will once again start dark horses in their quest for a maiden title. England and Australia will be favourites again.

STARS LOSE SHEEN

2012 was not a good year for Indian cricket. Mumbai's three leading lights had a forgettable 12 months too. Sachin Tendulkar failed to score a century across formats, his place in the team was questioned and he finally announced retirement from ODIs. Zaheer Khan looked off-colour all year and was unceremoniously dumped from the Test squad. Rohit Sharma continued to let backers down.

... contd.

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