Lure of the rings

Looking ahead: Where to go, what to watch... here's your 2016 guide

Cricket

Indian team’s schedule is going to be hectic in 2016, starting with the limited-overs series in Australia. The MS Dhoni-led side will play five ODIs and three T20Is, starting January 12.

This series will be followed by World T20 which will be held in India for the first time since its inception in 2007.

Sandwiched between India’s tour of Australia and WorldT20 will be Asia Cup (from Feb 24 to March 6) which will be played in T20 format for the first time.

India will be predominantly playing at home in 2016 with a proposed tour (four Tests) to West Indies in mid-2016.  England are expected to be in India in November-December for a five-match Test series.

Bangladesh (1 Test in August) and New Zealand (3 Tests and 5 ODIs in October) are scheduled to visit India besides Sri Lanka who will play three T20Is in February.

Major events

Aus vs India (Limited Over series)January 12-31Australia’s Tour of NZ, Feb 3-24IPL 9: April 9-May 29England v Sri LankaMay 19-Jul 5Tri-nation ODI tournament: West Indies, Aus, S Africa): Jun 6-26England v Pakistan: Jul 14-Sept 7S Africa v New Zealand: Aug 19-31S Africa vs Sri Lanka, Dec 15-Feb 3.International tournamentsICC World T20, India, Mar 8-April 3Asia Cup, Feb 24-March 6: B’desh
Formula One

Lewis Hamilton towered over his rivals in the 2015 Formula One season, winning the title for the third time -- second time in a row -- by a comfortable margin.

Hamilton’s rivalry with his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg highlighted the 2014 season but the same competitive edge was lacking in 2015, with the Briton stringing together some impressive wins.

With Hamilton showing no signs of slowing down, revealing a deep desire to add more wins to his collection, his rivals will have some catching up to do when the new season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 20.

Australian GP Melbourne: March 20Bahrain GP: April 3Chinese GP, Shanghai: April 17Russian GP, Sochi: May 1Spanish GP: May 15Monaco GP, May 29 Canadian GP, Montreal, June 12Europan GP, Baku, June 19GP of Austria, Spielberg: July 3British GP, Silverstone: July 10Hungarian GP: July 24German GP, Hockenheim: July 31Belgian GP: August 28Italian GP, Monza: Sept 4Singapore GP Sept 18Malaysian GP, KL, Oct 2Japanese GP, Suzuka: Oct 9United States GP, Austin: Oct 23Mexico GP, Mexico City: Oct 30Brazilian GP, Sao Paulo: Nov 13Abu Dhabi GP, Yas Marina: Nov 27
Tennis

Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams dominated the tennis scene in 2015. Will they be able to continue in the same way will be the question this year.

The answers will come early, with the Australian Open starting mid-January set to reveal the champions’ form and desire against strong opposition.


Major events

Australian Open, Jan 18 to Feb 31French Open, May 22 to June 5Wimbledon, June 27 to July 10 US Open, Aug 29 to Sept 11Davis Cup First round: March 4-6Quarterfinals: July 15-17Semifinals: Sept 16-18Final: Nov 25-27

The Olympic Games

The Games are being held in South America for the first time, with Rio de Janeiro being the host city this year. Brazil, the land of Samba and soccer, will welcome the world and one can be sure that the best in the world will be there in Rio, some seeking more gold to their collection and others, like Simona Biles (pictured above) looking for their first piece of the cherished yellow metal.

Rio de Janeiro: August 5-21

Football

The Euro 2016 in France is the highlight of the year while on the club scene, Barcelona’s pro­gress will be keenly watched with Lionel Mess (pictured right) and company in top form.

Champions League Final: May 28 MilanCopa America Centenario: Jun 3-26The United StatesEuro 2016: June 10 to July 10France

Badminton

All England, March 8-13India Open, March 29-April 3Malaysia Open, April 5-10Singapore Open, April 12-17Indonesia Open, May 30-June 5Australian Open, June 7-12Japan Open, Sept 20-25Korea Open, Sept 27-Oct 2Denmark Open, Oct 18-23French Open, Oct 25-30China Open, Nov 15-20Hong Kong Open, Nov 22-27Superseries Finals, Dec 14-18

Golf

Having won the Augusta Masters, the US Open as well as annexing the World No 1 ranking, there is no doubt that Jordan Spieth (pictured above) will be the man to watch out this season.

However, Rory McIlroy, who ended 2015 spectacularly following an ankle injury and Jason Day, the World No 2, will be determined to conquer the fairways and greens of some of the famous courses in the world.

Major eventsUS Masters, Augusta, April 7-10US Open, Oakmont, Pennsylvania, June 16-19The Open, Royal Troon GC, Ayrshire July 14 to 17PGA Championships, Springfield, New Jersey, July 28-31

Athletics

Diamond League programmeMay 6: DohaMay 14: ShanghaiMay 28: Eugene, Oregon.June 2: RomeJune 5: Birmingham.June 9: OsloJune 16: StockholmJune 18: New YorkJuly 15: MonacoJuly 22-23: LondonAug 25: LausanneAug 27: ParisSept 1: Zurich Sept 9: Brussels

Other events

South Asian Games, Guwahati/Shillong, Feb 6 to 16.CYCLING: Tour de France July 2 to 24Hockey India League, Jan 18-Feb 21