Things are changing in India, more rapidly than anticipated. You can see this in how we dress, eat, and engage in sports. The choices are no longer limited to cricket or non-cricket, with urban infrastructure facilitating the rise of alternative sports. Today, we're exploring five activities that can be accessed with just a cab ride away, even within the busy constraints of daily hustle culture.

Pickleball 

An amalgamation of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong that shouldn't work on paper but somehow does, has slowly been creeping into mainstream popularity since last year. It is a perfect urban sport because of its slow pace, basic infrastructure, and the courage to tell someone you play something called "Pickleball" in your free time. For a more in-depth dive, head on here.

Skateboarding 

Image by: The Skateroom 

What began as a conversation among surfers in California, which we believe went something like, "Dude, wouldn't it be cool to surf on the ground but on water?" gave us what we know as skateboarding today. Since then, the sport has become a mainstay in popular culture. What makes it particularly appealing is how it seamlessly blends into the urban landscape. Today, India's skateboarding culture is also on the rise, with skate parks popping up in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, and even Gwalior.

Mini Golf/Indoor Golf

While there are plenty of country clubs in India boasting sprawling golf courses, not everyone has access to them. So, what do you do when you want to improve your swing? Fortunately, some places in Mumbai and Delhi offer mini-golfing and even indoor golfing without the need for a country club fee.

Go Karting 

Image by: JK Tyres

The popularity of Formula One in India has risen quicker than some of the cars it has. However, a few still remain sceptical considering the "how is driving in a circle entertaining to watch" aspect of the sport. Although, you can now get to put yourself in the driver's seat, quite literally, thanks to the ever-growing go-kart tracks popping up in every major city. But beyond the frill, a few of them also offer extensive training programs, in case one is really serious about beating Max and his RB20.

Bouldering

Image by: Climb Fit Sydney

If the mountains are calling and you can't afford to go, how about replicating the adrenaline-pumping action of climbing a mountain or a rock, but within the confines of your city and with all the necessary safety in place? Called Bouldering, this new sport, like Pickleball, has been slowly catching the attention of Indian urbans, owing to its capability of offering a full-body workout. Not to mention, unlike actual rock climbing, bouldering is often seen as the most social form of climbing since it lacks ropes, allowing more people to occupy a section of the wall simultaneously.

Feature image by EustonWall - Indoor Climbing