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In this Thursday, June 30, 2011 photo, a young boy practices soccer at a stadium on the outskirts of New Delhi, India. The popularity of football is making giant strides in cricket-crazy India, and it is not limited to watching top class matches on televi Saurabh Das, Associated Press
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In this Thursday, June 30, 2011 photo, children participate in a practice session of soccer at a stadium on the outskirts of New Delhi, India. The popularity of football is making giant strides in cricket-crazy India, and it is not limited to watching top Saurabh Das, Associated Press
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In this Thursday, June 30, 2011 photo, Aayushman Chaturvedi, 16, carries a teammate on his shoulders as he tries to increase his stamina before participating in a game of soccer at a stadium on the outskirts of New Delhi, India. The popularity of football Saurabh Das, Associated Press
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In this Thursday, June 30, 2011 photo, children practice soccer at a stadium on the outskirts of New Delhi, India. The popularity of football is making giant strides in cricket-crazy India, and it is not limited to watching top class matches on television Saurabh Das, Associated Press
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In this Thursday, June 30, 2011 photo, former Indian national team player Anadi Barua, who runs a bustling soccer academy, teaches soccer techniques to a student at a stadium on the outskirts of New Delhi, India. The popularity of football is making giant Saurabh Das, Associated Press
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In this Thursday, June 30, 2011 photo, former Indian national team player Anadi Barua, who runs a bustling soccer academy, displays soccer techniques to students at a stadium on the outskirts of New Delhi, India. The popularity of football is making giant Saurabh Das, Associated Press
By Associated Press

NEW DELHI — In a country where cricket is so ingrained in the social fabric that it dwarfs every other sport and most other topics of conversation, Aayushman Chaturvedi made a decision that was almost unthinkable for his parents.

He chose football.

And if the mushrooming number of local academies emerging are any indication, Chaturvedi is not the only the Indian schoolboy who dreams of playing football in Europe rather than trying to break into the Twenty20 cricket Indian Premier League.

Even former India footballer Anadi Barua, who runs a bustling academy on the outskirts of New Delhi, is surprised by the recent trend.

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"It is amazing to see the craze, focus and ambition of youngsters," Barua said.

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