Top 10 Famous Indian Sports Personalities

10. Abhinav Bindra

Abhinav Bindra is one of India’s most celebrated athletes and is highly popular across the country. He made history by winning India’s first-ever individual Olympic gold medal in the 10m air rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, earning immense national pride and recognition. Bindra’s calm composure and precision under extreme pressure have been widely admired, making him a role model for aspiring athletes. He has won multiple medals at the Commonwealth and Asian Games, establishing himself as a top marksman globally.

Beyond his sporting achievements, Bindra is recognized for his contributions to Indian sports development. Through the Abhinav Bindra Foundation, he promotes high-performance sports training and infrastructure at the grassroots level in India, helping nurture future champions. He is respected not only as an athlete but also as a visionary businessman and sports policymaker. Bindra’s popularity extends beyond sports, where he is seen as an inspiring figure who symbolizes India’s rise in Olympic disciplines and scientific approach to sports training, making him a significant influencer in India’s sports culture and development.

9. Mary Kom

Mary Kom is a celebrated Indian boxer and one of the most successful female athletes in the world. She is the only woman to have won the World Amateur Boxing Championship six times and has won a medal in each of the first seven World Championships, making her the most decorated boxer in the tournament’s history. Mary Kom won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, becoming the only Indian female boxer to win an Olympic medal. She clinched the gold medal in the 51 kg category at the 2014 Asian Games and the 2018 Commonwealth Games, further cementing her legacy.

Her career includes multiple gold medals at the Asian Women’s Boxing Championships and consistently outstanding performances at international tournaments for over two decades. Mary Kom has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, and Padma Bhushan. Beyond her achievements in the ring, she is an inspirational figure who overcame many challenges, including language barriers and injuries, and has played a key role in popularizing women’s boxing in India. Mary Kom’s life story embodies resilience, dedication, and excellence in sport.

8. Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri is one of the most popular and iconic sports personalities in India, widely regarded as the greatest Indian footballer of all time. He is the captain of the Indian national football team and has over 80 international goals, making him India’s all-time top scorer and one of the highest international goal scorers globally. Chhetri’s dedication, leadership, and outstanding performances have earned him multiple accolades including the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, and the prestigious Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honor.

His popularity soared not only due to his on-field success but also because of his ability to inspire millions of Indians and bring attention to football, a sport historically overshadowed by cricket in the country. Chhetri’s impassioned appeal to fans for support drew record crowds and widespread national attention, further cementing his status as a beloved sports icon. He is credited with uplifting Indian football to new heights and remains a symbol of perseverance and sporting excellence in India.

7. Neeraj Chopra

Neeraj Chopra has become an immensely popular and celebrated sports personality in India since winning the country’s first Olympic gold medal in athletics at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. His popularity is remarkable considering cricket’s overwhelming dominance in India. He is admired for his humility despite widespread fame and is seen as a national hero who has elevated the profile of javelin throw and athletics in the country. Chopra’s success has inspired many young athletes and increased interest in track and field sports across India.

He is widely recognized, with significant media presence and endorsement deals, and August 7 is now celebrated as National Javelin Day in India, commemorating the day he won Olympic gold. Neeraj expresses a desire for the growth of athletics in India through hard work and hopes to inspire the next generation with his efforts and achievements. His popularity rivals that of top cricket stars, and he is regarded as a transformative figure in Indian sports with a profound influence on public interest in athletics.

6. Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev is immensely popular in India as one of the greatest cricketers and a national sports icon. He captained India to its first-ever Cricket World Cup victory in 1983, a historic moment that significantly boosted the popularity of cricket in India and established him as a legendary figure. Kapil was an outstanding all-rounder, known for his fast-medium bowling and hard-hitting middle-order batting. During his career, he took 434 Test wickets and scored over 5,000 Test runs, becoming the first player to achieve the double of 5,000 runs and 400 wickets in Test cricket.

His leadership, athleticism, and memorable performances under pressure left a lasting impact on Indian cricket. He was awarded prestigious honors like the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Wisden Indian Cricketer of the Century, and inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. Kapil’s success paved the way for future generations and made him an inspiration for aspiring cricketers in India. Even after retirement, he continues to contribute to cricket as a mentor and commentator, remaining a beloved and respected figure in Indian sports.

5. Viswanathan Anand

Viswanathan Anand is one of the most popular and revered sports personalities in India, widely recognized as the country’s greatest chess player. His rise to the top of the world chess stage in the early 2000s inspired a massive surge in chess interest and popularity throughout India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, which has become a chess powerhouse. Known as “The Tiger of Madras,” Anand was India’s first Grandmaster and a five-time World Chess Champion, holding the undisputed title from 2007 to 2013.

His success transformed chess from a niche sport to a mainstream passion, with countless young Indians taking up the game inspired by his achievements and playing style. Anand’s popularity extends beyond just his skill; his humility, sportsmanship, and role as a mentor also endear him to the Indian public. In addition to numerous awards including the Padma Vibhushan and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Anand’s impact is seen in the growth of Indian chess talent on the global stage today, including a new generation of grandmasters. His legendary status makes him a beloved icon and a symbol of India’s excellence in intellectual sports.

4. P.V. Sindhu

P.V. Sindhu is one of the most popular and influential sports personalities in India, especially in badminton. She is the first Indian woman to become the badminton world champion and a two-time Olympic medalist, which has earned her immense respect and admiration across the country. Sindhu’s success has played a pivotal role in popularizing badminton in India, inspiring millions of young athletes, especially women, to take up the sport.

Her popularity is evident through her large social media following, high-profile endorsement deals with brands like PUMA, and her status as the most-followed badminton player globally. Sindhu’s achievements, including multiple medals at World Championships and Commonwealth Games, have made her a national icon. Beyond her sporting success, she is also recognized for her leadership and advocacy for women’s empowerment and sports development through her foundation and academy. Despite facing recent injury and form challenges, Sindhu’s resilience and determination continue to inspire fans and aspiring sportspeople alike, securing her place as a beloved figure in Indian sports culture.

3. Milkha Singh

Milkha Singh, popularly known as the “Flying Sikh,” is one of the most beloved and legendary sports personalities in India. He earned his iconic nickname after defeating Pakistan’s top sprinter, symbolizing national pride and resilience. Milkha Singh’s fourth-place finish in the 400 meters race at the 1960 Rome Olympics remains one of the most memorable moments in Indian athletics, narrowly missing out on an Olympic medal. His national records in the 200m and 400m stood for decades, and he won gold medals in the 1958 and 1962 Asian Games as well as the 1958 Commonwealth Games.

His life story, marked by overcoming the tragic loss of his family during the Partition, has inspired generations of Indians. The Bollywood film “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” further immortalized his legacy, making him a cultural icon. Milkha Singh received prestigious honors including the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan for his sporting achievements. Even after his passing, his legacy continues to inspire millions, symbolizing determination, hope, and excellence in Indian sports.

2. Major Dhyan Chand

Major Dhyan Chand is one of the most legendary and popular sports figures in India, widely regarded as the greatest field hockey player in history. Known as the “Wizard of Hockey” for his extraordinary ball control and goal-scoring ability, Dhyan Chand led India to three Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936. His feats included scoring over 570 goals in 185 international matches and more than 1,000 goals in his entire career, which mesmerized fans and opponents alike.

Dhyan Chand’s contribution transcended just sports; he became a symbol of Indian excellence and pride during the pre-independence era. The Indian government honored him with the Padma Bhushan in 1956. His birthday, August 29, is celebrated as National Sports Day in India, and the country’s highest sporting honor, the Dhyan Chand Award, is named after him. The National Stadium in New Delhi was renamed Dhyan Chand National Stadium in his honor. His legacy endures as an inspirational figure, and he remains deeply revered by Indians as a true hockey icon.

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar is arguably the most popular and revered sports personality in India and is often regarded as the “God of Cricket.” His cricketing records are unparalleled; he is the highest run-scorer in both Test and One Day International (ODI) formats, having scored over 34,000 international runs and 100 centuries, a historic milestone unmatched by any other cricketer. He was the first player to score a double century in an ODI and the first to play 200 Test matches.

Tendulkar’s popularity transcends cricket as he is a national icon who inspired generations of Indians with his humility, dedication, and sportsmanship. His crowning achievement was leading India to victory in the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, fulfilling a long-cherished national dream. He has received numerous awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, making him the first sportsperson to receive this honor. Tendulkar’s impact on Indian cricket and culture is immense, with millions of fans across the country celebrating him as a hero and legend.