Outranking cricket stars like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, Viswanathan Anand’s arrival at No. 36 on the Indian Express IE 100 list of 2025 signals a historic change in India’s athletic power structure. Beyond his five world titles, Anand shapes global chess policies as FIDE Deputy President, mentors prodigies like Gukesh, and fuels the chess digital explosion. His part in turning India a chess giant emphasizes his unparalleled legacy in a country ruled by cricket. Anand’s ranking confirms his position as the most powerful sportsperson in India, therefore demonstrating that real impact impacts the future and goes beyond personal success.