10. Anju Bobby George (Athletics)
Before Neeraj Chopra’s javelin heroics, there was Anju Bobby George’s leap into history. At the 2003 World Championships in Paris, she won a bronze medal in the long jump, becoming the first Indian athlete ever to stand on a World Athletics Championships podium.
This singular achievement broke a massive psychological barrier for Indian track and field. She later won a gold at the 2005 World Athletics Final and still holds the national long jump record of 6.83 metres, set at the 2004 Athens Olympics where she finished fifth. Her medal remains a landmark moment for Indian athletics.
9. Jhulan Goswami (Cricket)
For two decades, Jhulan Goswami was the undisputed spearhead of India's pace attack. One of the fastest female bowlers of all time, she retired as the highest wicket-taker in the history of Women's One Day Internationals, with 255 scalps. Her longevity is staggering, having played 204 ODIs since her debut in 2002. Beyond the statistics, Goswami’s relentless drive and accuracy made her a feared opponent and a mentor to a generation of cricketers. She is also the leading wicket-taker in Women's World Cup history, proving her mettle on the biggest stage.
8. Mithali Raj (Cricket)
If Jhulan Goswami led the bowling, Mithali Raj was the rock of India's batting. Her 23-year career is a testament to class, consistency, and incredible endurance. Raj retired as the all-time leading run-scorer in women's international cricket, with over 10,000 runs. In ODIs, she amassed a staggering 7,805 runs, a record that still stands. Known as the 'Tendulkar of Indian Women's Cricket', she led India to two ODI World Cup finals and was the first Indian woman to play 200 ODIs. Her elegant style and calm leadership defined an era of Indian cricket.
7. Saina Nehwal (Badminton)
Before the badminton boom of the 2010s, there was Saina Nehwal. She was the trailblazer who made India believe it could compete with the world's best. In 2012, she became the first Indian badminton player to win an Olympic medal, clinching bronze in London. A former world No. 1, she has won over 24 international titles. More than the medals, Nehwal’s fierce determination and success inspired a generation, including her great rival and successor, PV Sindhu, proving that Indian shuttlers could dominate the sport.
6. Sania Mirza (Tennis)
Sania Mirza revolutionised tennis in India. A global icon, she achieved a career-high singles ranking of 27 but truly found her legendary status in doubles. With six Grand Slam titles (three in women's doubles and three in mixed doubles), she is by far India's most successful female tennis player. Her partnership with Martina Hingis was historic, as they won three consecutive Grand Slams and held the world No. 1 ranking for 91 weeks. Mirza's powerful forehand and charismatic presence made her a household name and an inspiration for millions.
5. Karnam Malleswari (Weightlifting)
On September 19, 2000, Karnam Malleswari lifted more than just weights; she lifted the spirits of a nation. At the Sydney Olympics, she won a bronze medal, becoming the first Indian woman in history to win an Olympic medal. This was a watershed moment that shattered glass ceilings and proved that Indian women belonged on the world's biggest sporting stage. Before her Olympic triumph, 'The Iron Lady' was already a two-time World Champion, but her Sydney bronze catalysed a new era for female athletes in India.
4. Mirabai Chanu (Weightlifting)
Following in Malleswari's footsteps, Mirabai Chanu has carved out her own legendary status. Her silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics was a story of incredible redemption after failing at the Rio Games five years earlier. Chanu is also a World Champion, having won gold in 2017. Known for her immense strength and flawless technique, she set a new world record in the clean and jerk (119 kg) in 2021. Her multiple Commonwealth Games golds, including a record-breaking hat-trick, confirm her as one of India’s most dominant athletes.
3. PT Usha (Athletics)
Sometimes, a near-miss can be as impactful as a victory. PT Usha’s fourth-place finish in the 400m hurdles at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, where she missed a bronze by a heartbreaking 1/100th of a second, is etched in Indian sporting lore. Despite missing the Olympic medal, the 'Payyoli Express' was the undisputed queen of Asian athletics for nearly a decade. At the 1985 Asian Championships, she won an incredible five gold medals. For an entire generation, she was the symbol of Indian sporting aspiration and excellence.
2. PV Sindhu (Badminton)
When the stakes are highest, Pusarla Venkata Sindhu delivers. She is the first and only Indian woman to win two individual Olympic medals, securing a silver at Rio 2016 and a bronze at Tokyo 2020. This incredible feat places her in the pantheon of India's greatest Olympians. Her crowning moment came in 2019 when she won the BWF World Championships, becoming the first Indian to do so. Her success at the biggest tournaments, combined with her powerful and aggressive style of play, makes her one of the most formidable athletes on the planet.
1. Mary Kom (Boxing)
Six-time World Champion. Olympic medallist. Mother of four. 'Magnificent Mary' is not just a boxer; she's a force of nature. Mary Kom is the only female boxer to have won a medal in each of the first seven World Championships and the only boxer, male or female, to win eight World Championship medals. Her bronze at the 2012 London Olympics was India's first in women's boxing. She also won gold at both the Commonwealth and Asian Games, completing a remarkable set of achievements. Her unparalleled success, incredible longevity, and fierce spirit make her India's greatest female athlete.
