'Other' sportspersons bringing laurels to the nation

Indian Super League got off to a terrific start

Good opening for ISL

170 million viewers for Indian Super League (ISL) in the first week. Quite an achievement considering the state of football in a country where cricket is a religion. The success of non-cricket formats like Indian Kabbadi League, Indian Hockey League and now the ISL signals a new and positive trend for Indian sport. Slowly from a one-sport nation we evolve into a nation that shows interest in multiple sports. But while Hockey, Kabaddi and Soccer are lucky to find investors, sponsors and corporate backing, the other sports have not been that lucky.

Cricketers still take a major share of the media attention. Their dinners with wives and GF's, vehicles, relationships with actresses and celebrities sometimes shift the focus from the game. India becoming No. 1 T-20 nation in the world, or Virat Kohli getting to No. 2 position in batting grabs front pages and airtime. While the achievement is significant, we should also consider that the world in cricket means 10 nations (out of which cricket is on a decline in 5). It's not that India does not have sporting talent, we do have what it takes and we do have players playing global sports making us proud. Its just that they are not splashed across the media like our cricketers. They are unsung, unknown but undeterred. Here's a look at some of India's not very famous sporting icons. .

Achievements of other athletes

Dipika Pallikal: Ranked 10th in the world in squash, a sport which is played in over 188 countries with over 20 million players. The top 50 rankings in women's squash has players from over 16 countries. Besides her Individual accomplishments on the professional circuit, she has also helped the country win a gold in the Commonwealth games and a bronze in the Asian Games.

Shiva Keshavan: Who would have ever imagined the Indian Flag at the Winter Olympics? Who would have ever heard of a sport called Luge? Well, thank Shiva Keshavan India's flag bearer at the winter Olympics for a sport which has little or no infrastructure in India at all. Shiva Keshavan is a two-time Asian Gold medal champion winning golds at Nagano and also broke the Asian Speed Record in 2011. While many Indians may fail to recognize him or the sport, he has been offered to represent Italy which he refused. Due to lack of proper infrastructure, Shiva trains for the sport on Himalayan roads.

Rinku Singh: The top sport in the US - Baseball.Major League Baseball, the no 1 baseball league in the world! Rinku Singh, an Indian pitcher is playing a professional game in the US! Born to a poor family in UP, Rinku was actually a junior national javelin champion. He was sent to the US for professional training after winning a reality show held in India. Besides playing in the US, Rinku has also played in the Australian League. He will miss the 2014 season due to injury. A Hollywood film called Million Dollar Arm, based on his life was released in 2014.

There are several other amazing stories of our champions who make India proud globally. Karun Chandhok, Tintu Luka, Krishna Poonia have done exceptionally well, despite lack of media attention, poor infrastructure and lack of the perks and pay that come with sponsorship. While cricket makes headlines even when our team loses, or for every other absurd record (highest 9th wicket partnership batting second in Wankhede Stadium), the unsung heroes and their achievements deserve equal celebration.