BADMINTON
All-England Championships
Women’s world number one Wang Yihan suffered a stunning loss in the women’s singles final of the Yonex All-England championships, beaten 21-13 21-19 by seventh-seeded Chinese compatriot Li Xuerui. It was by far the biggest win in the career of 21-year-old Li.
Lin Dan won his fifth All-England men’s singles title from his eighth final appearance. Two-time champion Lee Chong Wei, who was aiming to become the first Malaysian since Wong Peng Soon in 1952 to win three All-England titles in a row, was forced to retire with a shoulder injury.
Second seeds Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei (China) defeated top seeds and defending champions Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang (China) to win the women’s doubles title.
The men's doubles went to Korea, with 2008 champions and second seeds Lee Yong Dae and Jung Jae Sung coming from behind to defeat 2005 and 2009 champions Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng.
In the mixed doubles, Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir lifted the title for Indonesia for the first time since 1979.
Saina wins Swiss Open
Saina Nehwal won her first title of the season when she retained the Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold trophy with a straight-game victory over China's Shixian Wang in the summit clash at Basel, Switzerland.
BASKETBALL
Federation Cup
Punjab men outclassed ONGC, Uttarakhand, to win the final of the 26th Federation Cup after a gap of 10 years.
BOXING
Mary Kom wins gold at Asian boxing
Five-time world champion MC Mary Kom and L. Sarita Devi clinched gold medals in the 6th Asian Boxing Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, helping India finish a credible second in the overall standings. China was first in overall standings while hosts Mongolia took the third spot.
The other four Indians—Pinky Jangra, Sonia Lather, Monica Saun, and Puja Rani—won silver medals.
CRICKET
Asia Cup
Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by two runs in the thrilling final of Asia Cup, 2012. The tournament was hosted by Bangladesh. On their way to the final, Bangladesh had defeated India and Sri Lanka in the league matches.
Deodhar Trophy
West Zone defeated North Zone by 133 runs to win the Deodhar Trophy.
Vijay Hazare Trophy
All-rounder Laxmi Rattan Shukla hit a magnificent century to guide Bengal to a six wickets win over Mumbai and win the trophy.
Rahul Dravid retires
On March 9, 2012, Rahul Dravid, “The Wall”, announced his retirement from international and domestic first cricket, to lead “the life of an ordinary person”. Nicknamed “The Wall” by the media for his impregnable defence and the ability to score against the best of bowlers, the legendary batsman had scored more than 24, 000 runs in international cricket. He was also a reliable slip fielder, credited with the world record of taking the maximum number of catches in Tests (210).
England top ranked Test side in 2011-12
The first Test between New Zealand and South Africa, played at Dunedin, ended in a draw as rain interrupted the play. With this draw England secured the top spot in the ICC Test championship table. This was the first time, since the current ranking system was introduced in 2003, that England topped the table at the cut-off date. As such, England will receive the Championship mace and a cheque of $175,000. South Africa had needed to win all three Tests of the series to move ahead of England at the April 1 cut-off date.
Tendulkar hits 100th hundred
On March 16, 2012, Sachin Tendulkar scored his 100th international hundred, in Asia Cup league match against Bangladesh, becoming the only cricketer in the world to achieve this feat.
New Zealand-South Africa ODI Series
South Africa completed a 3-0 clean sweep against New Zealand with a five-wicket victory in the third and final ODI.
Australia-India-Sri Lanka ODI series
Australia won the CB three-nation ODI series best of three final 2-1, by defeating Sri Lanka by 17 runs in the third final. Australia had beaten Sri Lanka by 15 runs to win the first final of the tri-series. Sri Lanka then made an impressive come-back to win the second final by 8 wickets to level the best-of-three finals.
Earlier, a brilliant century by Virat Kohli had helped India reach the target of 320 runs in 40 overs to beat Sri Lanka in the last league match between the two teams, keeping the hopes of India entering the final alive. However, Sri Lanka defeated Australia in the thrilling, last league match to end India’s hope of playing the final.
India notch up their highest run-chase in ODIs
Virat Kohli produced a blistering 183 off 148 balls as India notched up their highest run chase ever to register an incredible six-wicket victory over arch rivals Pakistan in the league match of Asia Cup.
Apart from Kohli's career-best knock, his second century in the tournament, Rohit Sharma (68) and Sachin Tendulkar (52) were the other notable contributors as India eclipsed their highest successful run chase of 326 for eight against England at the Lords in the NatWest Cup final in 2002.
West Indies-Australia ODI series
West Indies’ hopes of a first series win over Australia in 17 years were shattered when the tourists clinched a 30-run victory in a thrilling fifth and final ODI. Chasing a victory target of 282, West Indies came agonisingly close before Australia won to level the series 2-2, with one tie.
Earlier, West Indies had clinched their first win in six years over Australia when they took the second ODI by five wickets.
New Zealand-South Africa Test series
A heroic century by 21-year-old Kane Williamson trumped a hostile South African bowling attack and allowed New Zealand to hang on for a tenacious draw in the third Test. South Africa secured the series 1-0.
Earlier, South Africa had wrapped-up the second Test, played at Hamilton, by nine wickets, inside three days. Vernon Philander of South Africa, playing only his sixth Test, produced his best figures of 6-44 in second innings, to give him match figures of 10-114 and man-of-the-match award.
Sri Lanka-England Test series
Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath claimed a match haul of 12 wickets as Sri Lanka condemned top-ranked England to their fourth consecutive Test defeat in the series opener. Chasing a stiff target of 340 runs, England were bowled out for 264 soon after tea on the fourth day at the Galle International Stadium, to lose by 75 runs.
KABADDI
Women’s World Cup
India clinched the first women’s world cup championship title, defeating Iran 25-19. The championship was held in Patna, Bihar.
TENNIS
Dubai Duty Free Championships
Veteran Indian tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi clinched his 50th career title and his first with Rohan Bopanna when the duo outwitted Poles Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski to lift the doubles men’s trophy. Roger Federer defeated Andy Murray to win the men’s singles title.
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