Legends have it that giants, not the metaphorical ones, walked the earth much before either the homo sapiens or his long forgotten cousin the neanderthal man set eyes upon the world. Be it in our myths or in fairy tales, the allusion to life forms that were physiologically not much different to man but whose features were magnified to unbelievably large proportions are omnipresent. But, try hard though they might, archaeologists have failed to unearth any proof that can substantiate these seemingly absurd claims.Stories of giants were narrated to pacify obstinate children, often in whispers, not to frighten them but to inculcate in them the morals and principles that dictate the society. But, being children, imagination often tends to get the better of them and they start believing in the existence of giants and when it is revealed to them that all those tales were nothing but the concoction of some old ladies, they are crestfallen. But, precocious children come to realise, sooner than later that giants need not be 20 feet tall and weigh a 100 tons. They come to recognise giants in personalities who cast a shadow, albeit a metaphorical one, that even the largest of giants are incapable of.Indian cricket has seen more than its fair share of such metaphorical giants. Oxymoronically, Sachin Tendulkar, the smallest of the lot, turned out to be the colossus. An era that saw the likes of Tendulkar, Kumble, Ganguly, Dravid has ended and now a new chapter in the rather illustrious history of Indian cricket will be written by Ravindra Jadeja and Shikhar Dhawan.The passage of time, it is often said, is the most effective balm, one that is capable of healing even the most grevious wound. Indian cricket fans too will come to forget, although it would asking a lot of them to forgive, the unsavoury events of the last month and start cheering for their beloved team again. If and when Tendulkar retires, the last of the giants would have passed on and the baton would be handed on to the next generation. Although Dhoni is a huge personality in his own right, he still needs to go that extra mile to be bracketed along with the likes of Tendulkar and co.The present Indian team has a perfect blend of dynamism, vigour and youthful nonchalance. With many an enterprising individual in its ranks, one can state, with utmost certainty that the period to follow in Indian cricket is going to be a very exciting one. But, this young Indian side, which one might daresay is no longer on the cusp of transition, is succeeding a team that boasted many cricketers whose names are today etched in the pantheon of all-time greats.The young team doesn't give the impression of being bothered by the expectations that are bound to be sky-high given the near superhuman exploits of their predecessors. But, are they really indifferent to the hype that surrounds people whom they would certainly have idolised at one point of time or the other or is it bravado remains to be seen.Dhoni, a captain who believes more in the ability of his players than in the unwritten laws of cricket, has played no small part in moulding this young Indian side. The eight straight losses in Tests to England and Australia notwithstanding, India is no longer considered a lamb away from home. Dhoni and co. have Ganguly, among others to thank for that. Dravid, Laxman and the rest toiled hard and helped India establish a reputation as a force to be reckoned with even when it travelled. Most members of the "New-age" Indian side are yet to make their bones away from the cosy comfort of home. With India set for a series of overseas tours, the mettle of the young Indian side will be put to test.Hopefully, the young Indians will return triumphant and emulate the feats of the giants who strode Indian cricket before them and acquire the colossal stature that their rolemodels did.