IAN-backed Wizikey, the AI-Powered Media Intelligence Platform for PR & Comms Teams, released its "Top 100 Indian Sports Newsmakers" list, providing a definitive ranking of the nation's most celebrated athletes across all disciplines, just as the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season is set to commence.
At the forefront of this illustrious list stand cricket superstars Virat Kohli, representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore, with an impressive News Score of 77.88, closely followed by Rohit Sharma of the Mumbai Indians, boasting a score of 76.69. Their dominance symbolizes the enduring popularity of cricket in India. The list also commemorates the remarkable victory of Smriti Mandhana and her Royal Challengers Bangalore team in the recently concluded Second Edition of Women's Premier League (WPL), a testament to the rising stature of women's cricket in the country.
"We're ecstatic to unveil India's definitive 'Top 100 Sports Newsmakers' list," said Aakriti Bhargava, Co-founder of Wizikey. "This data-driven ranking celebrates our nation's most prominent sporting icons who transcended their games to capture mindshare. With cricket contributing over 42% of the names, it reinforces the sport's unparalleled popularity. However, the inclusion of 16% badminton athletes, 15% Hockey, and representatives from Wrestling, Chess and more, underscores India's diverse sporting prowess. These 100 newsmaking superstars are the beating heart of our nation's sporting culture."
The inclusion of women cricketers like Harmanpreet Kaur further underscores the evolving landscape of Indian sports, particularly the growing media presence and significance of women's cricket. With athletes from various disciplines making a significant impact, India's sporting prowess shines through in diverse avenues. Badminton sensation PV Sindhu (58.44) and Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra (Athletics, 57.12) also captured the nation's attention with their remarkable achievements, showcasing India's diverse sporting talents.
Other notable athletes from various sports in the Top 100 Sports Newsmakers list include:
- Badminton: Saina Nehwal (52.31) and Lakshya Sen (48.92)
- Wrestling: Bajrang Punia (55.63) and Vinesh Phogat (51.70)
- Hockey: Manpreet Singh (51.42) and Rani Rampal (48.19)
- Tennis: Sania Mirza (53.87) and Rohan Bopanna (44.65)
As anticipation builds for IPL 2024 and beyond, the unveiling of the Top 100 Sports Newsmakers list serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit and unparalleled achievements of Indian athletes. Their triumphs continue to inspire generations, propelling the nation's sporting culture to new heights of excellence and acclaim.
