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Oxford University is the latest high profile voice to condemn the changes in visa regulations, whilst welcoming Indian students to continue applying. With changes making it harder to gain a post-study work visa, Oxford Vice-Chancellor Andrew Hamilton wanted to urge potential students form India not to be put off.

The new regulations kicked-in at the start of April, meaning that only a handful of international students will be able stay on and work after their studies in the UK. Since these changes were announced last year, there have been figures from throughout higher education criticising them.

"Confusing and Off-Putting"

Most recently, speaking to the BBC Asian Network, a number of Oxford students, graduates and professors all questioned the motives and effectiveness of the new visa regulations. There are more than 350 Indian students at Oxford University, making them the sixth largest group of overseas students studying there. University heads want to maintain this popularity amongst Indians.

It's all well and good learning about the cricket and hockey of India, but you already know what they are right? Well, how about Gilli Danda? Or maybe Pehlwani? No? Well you better read on.

India has a wide range of ancient and traditional sports and past times that are still practiced today. Many of them are played up and down the country every day alongside the newer, more popular sports. Here is a small selection of the most popular:

Kabaddi (above)

Modern Kabaddi is a game that has formed out of various other similar games that have been played in India for centuries. It is still one of the most popular sports in India and is played in villages up across the country day-in day-out.

It doesn't require any equipment, but just two teams of seven members each and an area to play on. The teams take it in turns to send one member of their team- the ‘raider' in to the oppositions half. The raider then has to touch one of the opposition team and run back to his own half whilst holding his breath and chanting ‘kabaddi'. The opposition has to try and stop him returning to his half before he takes a breath. Easy eh?

As part of India Week, Neil Priscott from the Marylebone Cricket Club, or Lord's to you and me, describes the links the famous ground has with India.

"Lord's Cricket Ground in London might be the best part of 6,000 miles away from India, but walk through the famous Grace Gates and you don't have to look far to find little bits of the country's cricket heritage.

All Indian cricket lovers know that the national team's great breakthrough came in 1983 at Lord's, when Kapil Dev lifted the Prudential World Cup after defeating a team thought to be nigh-on invincible - Clive Lloyd's West Indies. The cup Kapil Dev held so famously on the balcony of the Lord's Pavilion sits in the MCC Museum, alongside the Pataudi Trophy. MCC commissioned the trophy in honour of Tiger Pataudi in 2007, and it is presented to the winning captain when England play India at home.

Both can be viewed on the Lord's Tour - which takes in the dressing rooms and their famous honours boards, the Long Room, the Museum and the JP Morgan Media Centre.

For India Week, we are focussing on Indian Sport today, looking at the country's most popular modern sports as well as some of the more traditional ones still played today. To start the day off, check out the facts and stats below that act as an introduction to India's biggest sports.

Cricket

Cricket is by far the most popular sport in India. The country has been hugely successful in all forms of the game, winning both One Day Internationals and 20/20 world tournaments, as well as holding the number 1 spot in Test cricket.

However, there is one player that really stands out in Indian cricket, and indeed world cricket- Sachin Tendulkar. The Little Master is considered by many to be the greatest ever batsman to play the game. He has scored more Test runs AND more ODI runs than any other player in history. He also has the stunning record of 99 international centuries, though has been waiting for that magic hundredth for some time now

As part of India Week, writer Preena Deepak champions the history, tradition and skill behind Indian palm crafts.  

"Indians' association with naturally occurring products is an ancient one and also the basis of India's enormously varied handicraft industry. Using substances found in their environment, Indians have excelled in creating exquisite products. Right from household utensils to ornaments and finery, Indian crafts have stood out for their uniqueness as they are sourced from nature.

Traditional craft secrets have been passed on from one generation to another and much of what remains today in the Indian craft arena is a result of such knowledge transferred from our ancestors. This is also the reason why certain families have taken up art and craft as their profession.

Palm Crafts in Manapad

Deep in the heart of South India, in the small coastal village of Manapad, reside groups of women who engage in creating craft using palm leaves. Though the community living in the village relies on fishing for their livelihood, women here have made a mark for themselves by trading in artistic utilities made with dried palm leaves.