Seven rising sporting heroes who could soon make Mumbai proud

HT looks at promising talent from cricket, hockey, badminton and athletics who are sure to break records, win medals.

Yuvraj Walmiki, 21

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Hockey

Having burst onto the hockey scene last year with a place in the national men’s team, Yuvraj Walmiki was anointed the king-in-waiting of Indian hockey after taking a crucial penalty in the shoot-out against Pakistan in the Asian Champions Trophy.

Walmiki has impressed coach Michael Nobbs enough for the Aussie to declare him as the next big star of Indian hockey.

Although he will miss out playing at the Olympics owing to a hamstring injury he suffered during the qualifiers, he is training overtime to get back into the national squad.

Walmiki, who comes from a humble background, surely has the potential to be the flag bearer, who could bring the focus back on our national sport.

Tyron Pereira, 24

Hockey

The midfielder may not be playing with the Indian hockey team at the Olympics, but that does not take away from the enormous talent Tyron Pereira possesses.

The short and stocky player lost out to Gurbaz Singh for a place on the team, but many believe that Pereira is snapping at Gurbaz’s heels to make the right-half’s spot his own.

The 24-year-old from Bandra, who represents the ONGC, has great stamina and hates it when a forward gets the better of him.

“His physical fitness, ability to get into the right position, as well as basic skills make him a complete hockey player. He is the right replacement for Gurbaz Singh and I would be surprised if he is not talked about a lot in the next few years,” says former India coach Joaquim Carvalho.

Sarfaraz Khan, 14

Cricket

In 2009, Sarfaraz Khan announced his arrival in Mumbai’s cricketing circles with a mammoth 434 on debut in the Harris Shield. After that there has been no looking back for the aggressive right-hand batsman.

The 14-year-old went through a rough patch following allegations of him being overage. Sarfaraz underwent bone tests after the controversy erupted. The talented Rizvi Springfield lad, however, continued scoring big runs to bring the focus back onto his on-field exploits.

He was part of the Mumbai under-19 squad that won the Cooch Behar Trophy, but did not get a chance to play. In England for a coaching stint, Sarfaraz is a certainty in the playing eleven this time around.

Arman Jaffer, 14

Cricket

Nephew of former India Test opener Wasim Jaffer, Arman bears an uncanny resemblance to his uncle. His stance, the cover drive, the flick off the pads and his soft-spoken behaviour — all remind us of Wasim.

Arman shot to fame in December 2010 when he scored a record 498 for his school Rizvi Springfield. The innings helped him get into the Mumbai under-16 team. One of the 14-year-old’s biggest virtues is his discipline. Even though he lives in a slum colony, Arman makes it a point to be regular at training sessions at various maidans in the city. The right-hand batsman is a regular at the national under-16 camp at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

Prithvi Shaw, 13

Cricket

A run machine in the Harris Shield, the city’s premier under-16 school tournament, Prithvi Shaw is one of the most promising talents in Mumbai at present. Shaw, who captains Rizvi Springfield, has a reputation of scoring big centuries in pressure games.

Among his recent exploits were the two tons he hit in the semifinal (155) and final (174) of the Harris Shield last year; he eventually led his team to the title. The 13-year-old opening batsman has just returned from a stint at Manchester, where he was sent through an exchange programme. Shaw, who can also bowl effective off-spin, has recently made it to the Mumbai Cricket Association’s under-14 probables for an off-season camp.

Tanvi Lad, 18

Badminton

Consistency and determination are the two virtues that helped Tanvi Lad win the Junior National Badminton Champ-ionship in Jaipur recently.

Badminton followers and experts believe that the 18-year-old from Mumbai has all the necessary attributes to make it big at the international level. She is already being touted as the next Saina Nehwal.

In 2010, Tanvi won four titles in two under-16 nati-onal-level tournaments and has beaten several senior players too.

Tanvi is currently ranked in the 150s at the senior level, but with consistent performances and well-planned career moves, she can soon make it to the top-50 in the world.

Sidhanth Thingalaya, 21

Athletics

Mumbai has produced several top-level athletes, but in recent times, the talent pool seems to have dried up. But, about a year ago, sprinter Sidhanth Thingalaya has brought the focus back on track-and-field events.

The 21-year-old, a second year commerce student from Mithi-bai College, has twice improved the national record in 110 metres hurdles, lowering it to 13.65 seconds last month.

Though he missed the qualification mark for the London Olympics by just 0.5 seconds, Thingalaya has already represented India in the World and Asian Junior athletics championships, and done well there.