If 2010 gave us the foundation, 2011 will certainly be the year of the superstructure. And, Indian sports fans could not have asked for a better start to the year than seeing the coming together of India?s best-ever tennis duo, Paes and Bhupathi. Even if we don?t get the miracles expected of them in Australia, the fact that they are playing together with a view to London 2012 is something to take heart from. The nation would not mind sacrificing the Australian Open for a London medal and in tennis, the Paes-Bhupathi duo remains our best bet, not to forget a possible mixed doubles combination of Paes and Sania Mirza, clearly showing signs of getting back to her best.

If tennis hogs part of the limelight in January, badminton wouldn?t be left behind either. India?s poster girl will be playing a host of tournaments, including super series competitions, to continue her march towards the coveted number one crown. Staying clear of injuries and retaining her humility are the two most difficult challenges confronting Saina Nehwal in 2011, things she has done remarkably well in 2010. While Saina will lead the charge, Jwala Gutta and Ashwini and Parupalli Kashyap will also want to make the world stage their own in the early months of 2011. All of them have shown potential and it is time for consolidation, giving India a crop we can bank on in the years to come.

For the first time in years, we have seen glimpses of a possible medal in athletics at Olympic stage. It is time the nation protects Ashwini Akunji. Improving by three seconds between the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, Ashwini is a talent we will do well to nurture with an eye on London. And this is where the nation?s corporates need to step in. Exposure at the international stage, especially the golden leagues, is crucial and only if that happens can we think of remedying the PT Usha heartbreak of 1984.

This year is also huge for Indian boxing. For the first time ever in India?s sporting history, we have the possibility of winning more than five medals in London and a couple will then come from our pugilists. With the leader in Vijender totally focused on improving the colour of his Beijing medal, others including Suranjoy, Vikas, Santosh, Paramjeet and Dinesh will want to qualify for the big-ticket competition, thus giving India its best possible chance in London. Qualification for London will also be the key aim for our shooters, India?s number one Olympic medal sport at the end of 2010. With Gagan Narang having already qualified, we?d need at least five more shooters to follow him in 2011. Between Vijay Kumar, Omkar Singh, the crop of trap shooters led by Ronjon Sodhi, we surely have the potential of a medal at the Olympics.

While it is time to consolidate the gains from the Commonwealth and the Asian Games in the realm of Olympic sport, it is the single biggest year ever for India?s cricketers. In a matter of days, the nation will be engulfed by World Cup fever. And India does go into the tournament, starting February 19, as one of the favourites. We have the batting and bowling strength to be the best and with conditions favouring us, a repeat of 1983 is surely possible. Sachin Tendulkar with the World Cup at the Wankhede on April 2 is a gift that every Indian sports fan may have asked for as part of his/her New Year wish. Retiring from one-day, 50-over cricket with the World Cup in hand?can it ever get more romantic and surreal at the same time?

This is also the year the BCCI needs to deliver. With or without Modi the IPL remains the same is something the board needs to demonstrate to the world. For the BCCI, the first test is just a week away. A smooth conduct of the auction and the ghost of Lalit Modi would be exorcised.

Finally, for our Test team, it will be a trying year. Playing a resurgent England in England and a hungry Australia in Australia will ask serious questions of the Indian Test cricket team.

When we take stock at the end of 2011, it is expected that we will have answers to most of the questions asked of us. Justly, a mega sporting year in prospect. Time to get our cable connections renewed, for we can hardly afford to miss any of it!

?The writer is a sports historian