1. Christian ColemanThe American was best known for his drug testing violations until he silenced critics with the fastest 100 metres this year in Doha. A gold for Coleman at the Tokyo Olympics will certainly be the highlight of the post-Bolt era.2. Rafael NadalA season that started with a niggling ankle injury ended with two Grand Slams and his fifth year-ending as the World No. 1. Expect more of the same devastating form at the Australian Open in January, as he trains his eyes on Roger Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slams..preferred-source-banner{ margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;}3. Virat KohliThe records have tumbled after the Indian skipper’s scintillating performance across all formats this year. After a semi-final exit at the last edition, Kohli the batsman will be key to India’s fortunes at the T20 World Cup in October.4. Smriti MandhanaThe only Indian cricketer to make it to ICC’s ODI and T20I teams this year, Mandhana has enjoyed an outstanding season. At the Women’s T20 World Cup in February, all eyes will be on her to lead the side to their first final appearance.5. David WarnerA ball-tampering scandal kept the Australian out for a year, but once back at the crease in March, he finished the Indian Premier League season with the most runs (692) and was the second-highest scorer (647) at the ICC Cricket World Cup. With the T20 World Cup in his own backyard, trust Warner to be ruthless come October.6. Manu BhakerShe signed off the season with gold in the women’s 10m air pistol at the World Cup Finals in November. Though still in her teens, Bhaker will be a force to reckon with at the Tokyo Olympics.7. Amit PanghalHe became the first male Indian boxer to win silver at the World Boxing Championships in September. Come February, he will look to seal an Olympic berth at the qualifiers and make his mark among the big boys in Tokyo.8. Bajrang PuniaAfter picking up gold at the Commonwealth and Asian Games in 2018, Punia booked his berth at the Olym­pics with a World Championship bro­nze in September. The grappler showed great promise this year and is a likely candidate for a podium finish in Tokyo.9. Neeraj ChopraNot much has been written about Chopra after an elbow surgery in March ruled him out of all major javelin competitions this year. A lot, though, will be expected of the former junior world champion as he looks to make the cut for the Olympics next year.10. James HardenSince joining the Houston Rockets in 2012, Harden has emerged as a major threat to reckon with, even as they are on course to make the NBA playoffs yet again. After three consecutive golds at the Olympics, team USA will look to him for the same inspiration in Tokyo.11. P.V. SindhuAfter celebrating the high of becoming the first Indian to win the badminton World Championship gold in August, the shuttler has suffered a slump of sorts. Yet, all eyes will be on Sindhu at the Olympics as she looks to better her silver medal performance from four years ago.12. Kevin De BruyneWhile Manchester City may have endured a disappointing season so far, their key midfield orchestrator sits pretty atop the assist charts in England. It will be down to De Bruyne to shape Belgium’s fortunes at the Euros in June.Published By: Iram Ara IbrahimPublished On: Jan 3, 2020--- ENDS ---
