2017 was the year that saw Kidambi Srikanth's rise, Sunil Chhetri's consistency, Pankaj Advani's long list of records and so much more. Here are ESPN India's nominations for the year's best sportsmen.
Shiv Kapur
What they did in 2017
Shiv Kapur was India's most consistent golfer in 2017. He first broke a 12-year-long drought on the Asian Tour when he won the Yeangder Heritage title in Taiwan in April. He followed that up by winning a qualification tournament for the British Open. While he failed to make the cut in what was his first major in two years, Kapur finished the year on a high by claiming the Panasonic Open in New Delhi in November. It was a result that eventually saw him catapult over 500 places in the international rankings, from 743 at the start of the year to 202 at the end.
In their own words
"Without trying to sound arrogant, I don't think I played as well as I am capable of."
- Kapur, after winning the Panasonic Open
Kidambi Srikanth
What they did in 2017
No player won more men's singles Superseries titles in 2017 than Kidambi Srikanth. Srikanth emerged victorious at the Indonesia, Australian, French and Denmark Open and also achieved his career-best ranking of number two. He joined the legendary trio of Lin Dan, Chen Long and Lee Chong Wei in the list of players to win four or more men's singles Superseries titles in a calendar year.
In their own words
"When I started the year, I didn't think I would have won four Superseries titles. I thought it would take a year at least to get to my full potential but it got done a lot quicker than that."
- Srikanth, on his incredible year
Sunil Chhetri
What they did in 2017
Sunil Chhetri's biggest role was in getting the crucial goals that took India to the 2019 Asian Cup with an unbeaten run in 2017. Whether in a difficult away game to Myanmar, or at home against Kyrgyzstan, narrow 1-0 wins were down to the Indian captain's clinical finishing. Chhetri also went past Bhaichung Bhutia's 89 goals to become the all-time highest-scoring Indian in the national league.
In their own words
"I believe that I have to work the hardest. I have to be punctual and I have to do things right, because I am the captain and people look up to me. From the last bench, I sit in the front now."
- Chhetri, on his role with the Indian team for whom he made his debut in 2005
Viswanathan Anand
What they did in 2017
A world title at the age of 48, in a format commonly believed to be the preserve of young minds racing through moves at break-neck speed, made Viswanathan Anand's achievement both unique and commendable. Stunning reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen in 34 moves, Anand moved into a three-way tie in the World Rapid Championship before finishing the tournament undefeated over 15 rounds. It was to be the perfect declaration of his mastery over age and time.
In their own words
"I try to learn from Roger Federer. People like him teach you to hang in there."
- Anand finding inspiration to beat age and younger opponents
Pankaj Advani
What they did in 2017
Winning two titles last year, in billiards and snooker, to become an 18-time world champion, Pankaj Advani pushed the boundaries of excellence and traveled to a domain where no individual Indian athlete ever has. He defended his 150-up format world billiards title with a win over England's Mike Russell and followed it up with a world snooker title in a 15-frame encounter, all in less than 30 days.
In their own words
"When at the table, I'm transported to another world. It takes care of all my worries, gives me peace, joy and something to look forward to every day."
- Advani on finding the motivation to succeed despite the relative lack of acknowledgement for his successes
Gaurav Bidhuri
What they did in 2017
Gaurav Bidhuri became only the fourth Indian man to win a medal at the AIBA Boxing World Championships when he claimed a bronze medal in the bantamweight division at Hamburg. Unlike Vijender Singh, Vikas Krishan and Shiva Thapa, the other Indians to have medalled at the worlds, not much was expected of the 24-year-old Bidhuri. He only qualified as a wildcard after a boxer from Bhutan pulled out. In the competition though, despite a chronic back injury, he upset higher-rated boxers from Tunisia and Ukraine to grab his chance at glory.
In their own words
"It is unbelievable. I have been struggling with severe back pain for the last 7-8 months. But nothing could stop me as I was determined to create history."
- Bidhuri after assuring himself of a medal at the World Championships