A recent viral ad by Nike India put the spotlight on India's female athletes, but it also helped highlight how little people knew about the women who were featured in it.

Though the 'Da Da Ding' ad was widely appreciated, many viewers failed to recognise who these sportswomen were, focusing on Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone instead. From cricketers and footballers to a squash player and surfer, here are some of the female athletes featured in the ad.

Joshana Chinappa competes during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Image: Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images

Joshana Chinappa (Squash)

The reigning National Squash Champion, Chinappa was the first Indian to win the British Squash Championship in 2003, and won India's first Commonwealth Games gold medal in squash along with Dipika Pallikal in 2014. Earlier this month, Chinappa reached a career-best ranking of world number 10.

Jyoti Ann Burrett (Football)

The striker of Indian women's football team, Burrett has also played for the prestigious Tottenham Hotspurs Football Club in England. She chose to pursue her passion of football despite getting lucrative job offers after her Masters degree in Sports and Health Science.

Tanvie Hans (Football)

Famously inspired by Bend it Like Beckham, Delhi-born Hans was one of the first Indians to play for the English League. Like Burrett, British-Indian Hans has also played two seasons for the Tottenham Hotspurs LFC as well as Fulham LFC.

Rani Rampal during the women's hockey match between India and South Africa of the FIH London 2012 Olympic Hockey qualifying tournament at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. Image: PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images

Rani Rampal (Hockey)

Born to a poor family in the north Indian town of Shahabad, Rampal started training in hockey at the age of six. At 15, she became the youngest player in India's national hockey team in 2010. Now 21, she is recognised as one of the best forward players in Indian hockey.

Cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur of India bats during game one of the Women's ODI series between Australia and India at Manuka Oval on February 2, 2016 in Canberra, Australia. Image: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Harmanpreet Kaur (Cricket)

The vice-captain of the Indian women's cricket team, Kaur began her international career in 2009. She is also the first Indian female cricketer to be selected for the Australian Big Bash League.

Shubhlakshmi Sharma (Cricket)

Sharma is a right-hand batswoman as well as a righ-arm medium bowler, who was inspired by veteran Indian woman cricketer Jhulan Goswami.

Smriti Mandhana of India celebrates after reaching her century during game two of the women's one day international series between Australia and India at Blundstone Arena on February 5, 2016 in Hobart, Australia. Image: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Smriti Mandhana (Cricket)

Smriti Mandhana started playing playing professional cricket at the young age of nine, when she was picked for the under-15 team of her state, Maharashtra. The 19-year-old now plays for India's national women's team and scored her maiden One Day International century against Australia this February.

Ishita Malaviya (Surfing)

India's first professional female surfer, Ishita Malaviya also founded the Shaka Surf Club and is working towards promoting the country's coastline as a surfing destination.





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