Manchester: India's inspired performance in the 17th Commonwealth Games has not only come as a breath of fresh air for a country which has always struggled to make a mark at the international level, but will also serve as launching pad for the sportspersons to attain greater heights.

The 148-member contingent returned with the best-ever haul of 32 gold, 21 silver and 19 bronze medals to take the third position on the medals table and emerge as a major force in the Commonwealth sporting fraternity.

The spectacular display of the Indian sportspersons warmed the hearts of millions of countrymen and the gold booty was all the more creditable since it had never exceeded 13 golds in the history of the games.

Though the Indians did not pose a serious challenge to traditional powerhouses Australia and England, who expectedly occupied the first two positions, their unprecedented gold collection made them the surprise package of the Games.

The Indians were expected to put up an improved show at the Games this time around, but nobody really thought they would rake in as many as 72 medals.

Although there were many star performers and first-time achievements in India's dream run at this North Western English city, the shooters and the lifters did the bulk of the shopping, collecting as many as 27 of the 32 golds.

But India's phenomenal success at the Games lost some sheen with lifter Krishnan Madasamy testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug nandrolone - the only moment of disgrace for the Indians. The 28-year-old lifter was stripped of all the three silver medals he won in the 56 kg category.

The shooters were the toast of the nation as they virtually set the ranges in Bisley ablaze with their gold grabbing feat to complete their engagements with a rich haul of 14 gold, 12 silver and 2 bronze medals – their best showing in the Commonwealth Games so far.

Pistol king Jaspal Rana and Anjali (Ved Pathak) Bhagwat provided the sparks by clinching as many as four gold medals each, while talented youngster Abhinav Bindra (one gold and one silver) also made his presence felt with his heroics.

The weightlifting arena proved to be a happy hunting ground for the Indians as it brought 13 gold medals thanks mainly to the women lifters who amply proved their class by fetching the bulk of the golds.

Seasoned lifters N Kunjarani Devi (48 kg), Sanamacha Chanu (53 kg) and Shailaja Pujari (75 kg) reigned supreme as they made a clean sweep of all the three gold medals in their respective categories.

The women's weightlifting event was held for the first time in these games and the Indian eves made the most of it.

Satheesha Rai also had his moment of glory picking up two gold medals in the men's 77 kg while Pratima Kumari narrowly missed a clean sweep in the women's 63 kg and had to be content with two golds and a silver.

The Indian women's hockey team also fulfilled a long cherished dream of winning a gold medal in the event, which had never brought them a medal till now.

The Indian eves fought back brilliantly after almost being knocked out of the championship at one stage to clinch their first medal in women's hockey though the summit showdown against hosts England ended in controversial fashion.

India's moment of glory had to wait for a brief while as the umpire initially disallowed the golden goal by Mamata Kharab, but changed her mind after discussing with her fellow umpire and consulting technical committee officials, prompting protests from the England team.

It was indeed a remarkable performance from the Indians as they demolished highly rated teams like South Africa, New Zealand and England during their giant-killing spree.

After finishing third in 'Pool B', the Indians were a transformed lot in the play- off stage and the two come-from-behind victories against South Africa and New Zealand boosted their confidence ahead of the final.

The dream victory should go a long way in giving the desired confidence to the team, which has struggled to make a mark at the international level because of its inconsistency.

Light flyweight pugilist Mohammed Ali Qamar also made history by becoming the first Indian boxer to clinch a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games by prevailing over England's Darren Langley in a closely contested final.

Another Indian boxer Som Bahadur Pun managed to reach the final bout could not defeat Pakistan's Hyder Ali and had to be content with the silver medal.

The Indian grapplers, who joined the action towards the later stages of the Games, contributed to the gold deluge by claiming three golds and two silvers and one bronze.

Krishan Kumar (upto 55 kg), Ramesh Kumar (upto 66 kg) and Palwinder Singh Cheema (upto 120 kg) were the gold winners from the wrestling arena while Anuj Kumar fetched a silver in the upto 84 kg category.

While the squads in most of the disciplines brought cheer to the country, the shuttlers and the paddlers failed to strike gold though they did manage to pick up a couple of bronze medals.

Star performers Pullela Gopi Chand and Aparna Popat failed to live up to their awesome reputations in these games much to the disappointment of badminton fans.

Gopi Chand suffered a stunning straight set defeat at the hands of Malaysia's Choong Haan Wong in the quarter-finals to make a premature exit in the men's singles, while Popat could not advance beyond the semi-final stage.

The Indians took part in 10 disciplines and won medals in nine with only the gymnasts returning home empty handed.

The medal deluge in the Commonwealth Games will raise the level of expectation when the contingent leaves for the Asian Games in Busan, but it remains to be seen whether they can come anywhere near the record tally of 72 medals.

PTI