Here are (my) India’s five greatest sportsmen. As always, such lists are subjective.

Viswanathan Anand – Chess was invented in India. However, till the advent of Anand, Chess in popular culture was only a hobby. Not many aspired for recognition in the game as they did not know how. Anand’s greatness is not so much in his achievements, which compares favorably with the best players in history. He fundamentally had no example to emulate; he became an example to thousands of Indians. He made chess a spectator sport, brought money into the game, introduced world’s elite tournaments, won newspaper columns, and brought the world cup to India. Anand “defined” contemporary Chess for India. Without doubt, to me, Anand is the greatest sportsman India has produced thus far.

Pilavullakandi Thekkeparambil Usha – In the history of Indian track and field events the most famous name remains P. T. Usha. In a country that barely allowed women to grow unmarried into mid-20s and damned anybody showing her thighs as morally loose, it is a testament to her skills and resilience that she achieved as much as she did. That she failed to become a superstar is a damnation to the nation than a judgment on Usha. She may have failed to significantly influence the sports culture among Indian women. But, at least, she made the job a lot easier for a future somebody who could finish the job for her.

Leander Adrian Paes/Mahesh Shrinivas Bhupathi – Their public animosity to each other does not alter the fact that they are two sides of the same coin that catapulted Indian tennis from a story of near misses to genuine grand slam contenders. They changed the Indian tennis landscape to such an extent that it is a surprise now not to find one of these guys in the semi-final of any major doubles tournament. And no longer would we rub our eyes in disbelief if we see Indians being the best in tennis, albeit (so far) only in doubles.

Sunil Manohar Gavaskar – Before Gavaskar, the best adjectives our batsmen received were wristy and elegant. He was the first Indian cricketer to be considered in a debate of world’s best. He strutted around, in sharp contrast to his teammates, with his head high, chest thrust out, and an open collar. He was a man who was not afraid of being the best. His example developed a team culture that started thinking of winning. He also called the bluff of English press which compared Tendulkar favorably to W. G. Grace as if it was doling out compliments. To be fair, the whole of India was going gaga over Tendulkar being compared to Grace when Gavaskar pointed out Grace was a domestic giant (much like our Ajay Sharma) and a failure at test level and that it was an insult for Tendulkar to be compared with him. It was a giant pioneering step out of the British press’s shadow.

Sania Mirza – A pick as much for her past as for her potential future impact. She was the first Indian woman to win multiple matches at grand slams. She, for me, is the brightest hope to spark a sporting culture among Indian women; a job begun by Usha. Now if only she could concentrate on her game than the length of her skirt! Shall we be happy that she was not asked to play in a burqa or sari? It is laughable that a country that makes life so difficult for the few girls that dare to dream says “It is a shame that a billion strong nation does not produce more champions”. Talk about people getting exactly what they deserve.

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