2009 wasn't such a remarkable year for the reigning champions in most of the sports. We saw last years winners crash out of the game long before the climax could unfold. Here's a look at the Champions who couldn't make it big twice in a row:
1. Rajasthan Royals : (IPL winners - 2008 season) The Shane Warne-led team had etched a remarkable success story last year, when they started as underdogs and went on to snatch a last-ball victory from the hands of the obvious favorite CSK. But they couldn't even make it to the semi-final round in the 2009 season. Although the nerve-wrecking win in the super-over against the KKR promised a season full of high-drama cricket. But RR suffered from big players failing when most needed. And KKR managed to avenge their defeat and eventually knocking out the Royals from the tournament.
2. Raphael Nadal : (French Open 2005, '06, '07, '08) The seemingly impossible happened. The previously unbeaten Spaniard, who started the French Open 2009 in style lost to Soderling, a clay-court nobody. The Roland Garros winner for the last 4 successive years was hoping to claim the title for the fifth time and getting past Bjourn Borg's record, until Soderling guillotined the champ in a three-to-one set win. And sitting somewhere in his hotel room, Federer was probably smiling and thanking Providence for the golden opportunity.
3. Manchester United : (UEFA Champions League 2007-08) In spite of grabbing the Barclays Premier League for the second time and playing exceptionally well through the entire Champions League, they still couldn't put their hands on their 4th overall European title. Again starting as the clear favorites, Man United where undone by some excellent footballs from the Catalans, who toyed with the Reds in the final which was predominantly one-sided, after the 10th minute goal from the Barca striker Samuel Eto'o. The upto-the-mark defending from the Spanish club after taking a 2-0 lead in the 62nd minute made a mockery of the formidable Reds' strike force even with all four, Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez and Berbatov playing. But still, much more creditable performance overall.
4. India : (ICC World T20 2007) World Cup 2003 Runners-up and knocked out in the league round of WC 20007. Winners of the T20 WC 2007 and departing from the Super-Eight round in the T20 WC 2009. Looks quite similar, doesn't it! The Indians are well-known for making cricket, a game of such high unpredictability. Crushing the Aussies one day and getting toiled by Bangladesh on the other. The most favored team to win the coveted event this year as well, the Men-in-Blues failed to cash in on the huge IPL experience. And ofcourse, we all missed Sehwag.
But again , putting in the words of the legendary Sunny Gavaskar, "The virtue of a true champion is to do well in the most adverse situations". Tomorrow never dies. The sun will rise again and they will take the field once again. They may be down and out, but their spirit is never broken, for they are 'Champions'!
1. Rajasthan Royals : (IPL winners - 2008 season) The Shane Warne-led team had etched a remarkable success story last year, when they started as underdogs and went on to snatch a last-ball victory from the hands of the obvious favorite CSK. But they couldn't even make it to the semi-final round in the 2009 season. Although the nerve-wrecking win in the super-over against the KKR promised a season full of high-drama cricket. But RR suffered from big players failing when most needed. And KKR managed to avenge their defeat and eventually knocking out the Royals from the tournament.
2. Raphael Nadal : (French Open 2005, '06, '07, '08) The seemingly impossible happened. The previously unbeaten Spaniard, who started the French Open 2009 in style lost to Soderling, a clay-court nobody. The Roland Garros winner for the last 4 successive years was hoping to claim the title for the fifth time and getting past Bjourn Borg's record, until Soderling guillotined the champ in a three-to-one set win. And sitting somewhere in his hotel room, Federer was probably smiling and thanking Providence for the golden opportunity.
3. Manchester United : (UEFA Champions League 2007-08) In spite of grabbing the Barclays Premier League for the second time and playing exceptionally well through the entire Champions League, they still couldn't put their hands on their 4th overall European title. Again starting as the clear favorites, Man United where undone by some excellent footballs from the Catalans, who toyed with the Reds in the final which was predominantly one-sided, after the 10th minute goal from the Barca striker Samuel Eto'o. The upto-the-mark defending from the Spanish club after taking a 2-0 lead in the 62nd minute made a mockery of the formidable Reds' strike force even with all four, Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez and Berbatov playing. But still, much more creditable performance overall.
4. India : (ICC World T20 2007) World Cup 2003 Runners-up and knocked out in the league round of WC 20007. Winners of the T20 WC 2007 and departing from the Super-Eight round in the T20 WC 2009. Looks quite similar, doesn't it! The Indians are well-known for making cricket, a game of such high unpredictability. Crushing the Aussies one day and getting toiled by Bangladesh on the other. The most favored team to win the coveted event this year as well, the Men-in-Blues failed to cash in on the huge IPL experience. And ofcourse, we all missed Sehwag.
But again , putting in the words of the legendary Sunny Gavaskar, "The virtue of a true champion is to do well in the most adverse situations". Tomorrow never dies. The sun will rise again and they will take the field once again. They may be down and out, but their spirit is never broken, for they are 'Champions'!
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