India’s swashbuckling opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan has been named as one of the Five Cricketers of the Year, an honour dating back to 1889, by Wisden for his performance in 2013. The 28-year-old Mr Dhawan was the highest run-scorer during India’s triumph in the ICC Champions Trophy, amassing 363 runs in five ODIs at an average of 90.75. He was awarded Man of the Series for his performance that included centuries against South Africa and West Indies.

His performance during the tournament in England was acknowledged by Wisden, which also named Australian duo Chris Rogers and Ryan Harris, England batsman Joe Root and England women’s captain Charlotte Edwards in the list.

The Leading Cricketer of the Year is chosen by the editor of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, based on their “excellence in, or performance on, the previous English summer”. It can be won only once in a player’s career. Dale Steyn was Wisden’s Leading Cricketer in the World for 2013. He was the second South African to be selected for the award after Jacques Kallis in 2007.

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Laureus World Sports Awards 2014

v  World Sportsman of the Year: Sebastian Vettel (Motorracing)

v  World Sportswoman of the Year: Missy Franklin (Swimming)

v  World Team of the Year: Bayern Munich (Football)

v  World Breakthrough of the Year: Marc Márquez (MotoGP)

v  World Comeback of the Year: Rafael Nadal (Tennis)

v  World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Marie Bochet (Skiing)

v  World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Jamie Bestwick (BMX)

v  Spirit of Sport Award: Afghanistan Cricket Team

v  Sport for Good Award: Magic Bus, the sports-based community project in India.

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CRICKET

Sri Lanka wins T20 World Cup

Sri Lanka lifted their maiden World Twenty20 title at the third time of asking following their six-wicket victory against former champions India at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh. With this win, Sri Lanka finally managed to break their jinx of losing the finals of global events, having gone down in the decider of the 50-over World Cup in 2007 and 2011 and T20 World Cup in 2009 and 2012.

Kumar Sangakkara (left) hit an important 52 not out in his last Twenty20 international outing to help Sri Lanka chase down the 131-run victory target with 13 balls to spare and deny India, the reigning 50-over World Cup and Champions Trophy winners.

Virat Kohli, of India, was declared the Player of the Tournament while Kumar Sangakkara was chosen Player of the Finak.

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MOTORRACING

Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne

Winner: Nico Rosberg (Germany/Mercedes)

Second: Kevin Magnussen (Denmark/McLaren-Mercedes)

Third: Jenson Button (Britain/ McLaren-Mercedes)

Bahrain Grand Prix, Manama

Winner: Lewis Hamilton (Britain/Mercedes)

Second: Nico Rosberg (Germany/Mercedes)

Third: Sergio Perez (Mexico/Force India-Mercedes)

Malaysian Grand Prix, Kuala Lumpur

Winner: Lewis Hamilton (Britain/Mercedes)

Second: Nico Rosberg (Germany/Mercedes)

Third: Sebastian Vettel (Germany/Red Bull-Renault)

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TENNIS

2014 Sony Open

Men’s

Winner: Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

Runner-up: Rafael Nadal (Spain)

Women’s

Winner: Serena Williams (U.S.)

Runner-up: Li Na (China)