India has great diversity in people, culture, and tribes, which can be seen in the variety of sports in the country. The Asian country is one of the most successful sporting nations in the world, and over the years, it has conquered sports like cricket, hockey, and Kabaddi, where its athletes have won multiple Olympic medals and World Cup titles.
The country has also produced iconic sportsmen like Dhyan Chand, who is widely regarded as one of hockey’s greatest ever players and helped the nation win three gold medals at the Olympics. But that was a very long time ago, and while it’s good that we don’t forget our past legends, we must learn to appreciate those that are currently with us. Here, we look at the five most famous Indian athletes in 2023.
These individuals have found success in their various sports and also helped showcase the country in a good light. These athletes have also helped many punters win significant money through sports betting. If you’re looking to bet on some of these stars or other sports, check out https://mightytips.in/ for the best betting tips and recommendations.
Listed below are the five most famous athletes in India in 2023, according to research and ratings.
Virat Kohli
Cricket is one of the most popular sports in India and is currently the most watched. This is mainly due to the country’s successes in international competitions and the legends they have produced. One of those legends is the great Virat Kohli.
To many, Kohli is the greatest batsman in limited-overs cricket history, and the Royal Challengers Bangalore ace has proven that on multiple occasions. In 2011, he won the Cricket World Cup and was runner-up in the 2014 T20 World Cup and 2021 ICC World Test Championship . He has also scored the most runs in the Indian Professional League (IPL) and T20 internationals, holding the record for both competitions.
Virat Kohli was formerly the captain of the Indian national team and has received multiple accolades from both national and international bodies. In 2016, ESPN ranked him as one of the world’s most famous athletes, and he was listed amongst the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2018. He is definitely the country’s most popular athlete of the last decade.
Saina Nehwal
Thanks to legends like Saina Nehwal, badminton has gradually become a major sport in India. She is one of the most successful female badminton players in the nation and the world. So far, she has won twenty-four international titles, including ten Superseries titles.
She’s the only Indian badminton player in history to have won a medal in every BWF major individual event and became the youngest Asian to win a 4-star tournament and the first player from the country to win a Super Series title.
She’s widely regarded as the greatest badminton player in India and was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan award in 2016 for her efforts in the sport. Saina Nehwal is a household name in the nation and an inspiration to many young girls aspiring to become sports stars.
Rohit Sharma
When it was announced that Rohit Sharma would be the new captain of the Indian cricket captain team, hardly anyone was surprised. It was a massive privilege that one of the greatest opening batters of all time will be leading the cricket team.
Representing his nation, he won the 2007 T20 World Cup in South Africa and was runner-up in the 2014 edition. Currently, Sharma is the world record holder for the highest individual score in an ODI (One Day International) match and the most hundreds in a single Cricket World Cup. He was awarded the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year in 2019 and is currently one of the most popular athletes in India.
Neeraj Chopra
Popularly known as the Golden Boy, Neeraj Chopra brought joy to the hearts of Indians when he became the Olympic Javelin Champion in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics . Since then, he has continued on his record-breaking run and currently holds the record for the longest throw in the country.
Last year, he became only the second Indian athlete in history and the first since 2003 to win a medal at the World Athletic Championships. Neeraj’s successes at such a young age have propelled him to international and national stardom.
Sania Mirza
Sania’s influence in Indian tennis cannot be understated. She became the country’s highest-ever ranked female tennis player in 2007 with a 27 rank and won several singles accolades until a major wrist injury forced her to go into the doubles.
In the doubles, she has found success and has earned over $7 million in prize money, the highest in Indian female tennis history. She was also included in Time magazine’s 100 most influential people.
The Bottom Line Over the years, India has proven that it can produce the best sporting talents in the world. Here, we looked at some of the most popular athletes in the country in 2023. In addition to enjoying them, you can also win money betting on these athletes, and if you ever asked, “is betting legal in India? The answer is yes, sports betting is legal in India. You can wager on your favorite athlete and sports in the many online sportsbooks available.
