New Delhi: A sporting revolution of sorts is sweeping through India with a new generation of superstars is emerging, unburdened by a history of mediocrity and unafraid of taking on the best in the world.
Even as cricket is almost India's national obsession and the sport dominates the headlines with cricket and cricketers often being accused of being so dominant in the sporting mind space of India that every other sport gets left behind.
But now a brave new generation is smashing that myth to bits proving that beyond leather and willow, too, exists a world of achievers.
Gaganjeet Bhullar plays golf and comes from the small town of Kapurthala in Punjab.
Just 21-year-old Gaganjeet is India's brightest golfing hope winning the Indonesian Open last week and breaking into the top 10 in Asia.
He also played with world's top golfer at the British Masters and is seen as fearless and determined.
Saina Nehwal is India's most successful sportswoman at the moment and a trailblazer.
Winning Indonesia Super Series last month was another feather in a cap that is getting rapidly populated and she is knocking on the doors of the top five players in the world.
Barely out of her teens, Saina is punching above her weight already perhaps one day will be the world's top ranked badminton player.
Vijender Singh is an Olympic hero from the boxing ring winning a bronze medal at the Bejing Games.
The medal and poster boy good looks have made him quite a star on the celebrity circuit but just to prove that his punch has lost none of its bite, Vijender claimed bronze at a recent Asian Championship too.
His mission remains gold at 2012 Games in London.
On the tennis courts too there is reason to invest hope. Somdev Devvarman is the top ranked Indian on the ATP circuit.
He isn't among the crème de la crème yet but has the passion and a fair bit of talent to go with it.
There are others as well like Virdhawal Khade who has made breaking national records in the pool a habit.
He has also shown the promise to make a splash on the international scene.
Karun Chandhok is just a step below the Holy Grail Formula One and is making rapid strides in the GP2 series while Sunil Chettri has the pace and instinct to be a top quality football striker.
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