The top 20 moments in Indian sport

From Anand to Usha, athletics to wrestling, Athens to Wimbledon - all these, and more, are contenders for ESPN.in's Top 20 Moments in Indian Sport, as voted for by a panel of 31 experts from across the world of Indian sport. Indian sport today suffers from short-term public memory and the overwhelming popularity of cricket; this list is ESPN India's way of reviving memories of the feats of days gone by, and of saluting the richness, variety and breadth of India's sporting history. We know the list will spark debate and discussion - including questioning the very premise of ranking these achievements. Whether you agree or disagree, though, we hope it brings these achievements and achievers back into the spotlight where they belong.

Introducing the Top 20 Moments in Indian Sport

20

Anju Bobby George wins world championship medal

Anju Bobby George became the first Indian athlete to win a medal at the World Championships when she won bronze at long jump in 2003.

19

Ramanathan Krishnan reaches Wimbledon last four

Till date, Ramanathan Krishnan remains the only Indian to get to the semi-finals in the singles event of the tournament.

18

Gopichand wins the All England Open

Indian badminton entered a new era of dominance with the 27-year-old's come-from-behind victory.

17

Mary Kom boxes her way into history in London

The five-time world champion's 2012 Olympic bronze boosted the sport's profile and inspired a movie.

16

Malleswari wins bronze in Sydney

In 2000, the weightlifter became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal when she took third place in the 69kg category.

15

India win 1962 Asiad football gold

The last great triumph in Indian football came in Jakarta over half a century ago when they beat South Korea 2-1 in front of a hostile crowd.

14

Wilson Jones is billiards world champion

In 1958, the cueist became the first Indian world champion in any sport since the country's independence.

13

Leander Paes wins tennis bronze in Atlanta

Leander Paes entered the 1996 Atlanta Games as a wildcard, only to end up bagging India's first individual Olympic medal in 44 years.

12

PT Usha's gold rush at the 1986 Seoul Asiad

PT Usha made India proud in the Asian Games, winning five medals, including four golds, and setting new records.

11

Saina Nehwal rises to world No. 1

Saina Nehwal's India Open Grand Prix title in New Delhi in April 2015 made her the first Indian woman to reach No. 1 in the world.

10

Rajyavardhan Rathore wins silver in Athens

Rathore entered the Men's Double Trap event as the fifth of six finalists, but he delivered under pressure to win India's first individual silver at the Olympics.

9

Milkha Singh misses bronze at Rome by 0.1 seconds

Milkha Singh was leading in the 400m final but his decision to slow down and glance at his opponents cost him an individual Olympic medal.

8

Khashaba Jadhav wins bronze at Helsinki Olympics

The wrestler's trip to the 1952 Games had to be funded by the public. He finished in third place, winning India the country's first individual Olympic medal.

7

India win the 1975 hockey World Cup

India's domination in world hockey had stuttered a bit from the late '60s. In 1975, normal service was restored when they beat arch-rivals Pakistan in the final.

6

Sushil Kumar wins his second Olympic medal

The wrestler who became India's first sportsman to win two individual medals at the Olympics.

5

India win their first Olympic hockey gold

Amsterdam 1928 marked the beginning of a glorious dynasty in the country's sporting history.

4

Viswanathan Anand wins the unified Chess title

Anand had been a young prodigy, but he put to rest all doubts over his claims to greatness when he won the world title in 2007.

3

Prakash Padukone wins the All England Open

Prakash Padukone's victory at the All-England in 1980 marked the pinnacle of his career and India's emergence on the international badminton stage.

2

No. 2. India win the cricket World Cup

The 1983 victory over West Indies was epochal for Indian sport in more ways than one.

1

No. 1. Bindra guns for gold in Beijing

India's first ever individual Olympic gold is still the country's greatest sporting success.