Ten judges, including decorated sportspersons, commentators and administrators along with six journalists, helped select the contenders, nominees and the final winners of the third ESPN India Awards. Meet the jury.
ESPN India Awards 2019: Full coverage
Chetan Baboor (table tennis):
Four-time national champion and twice gold medallist at the Commonwealth Championships, Baboor owned Indian table tennis in the generation between Kamlesh Mehta and Achanta Sharath Kamal. He played successfully in the Swedish league in the 1990s before retiring from the sport to pursue a corporate career in the U.S.
Anjali Vedpathak Bhagwat (shooting):
Former world No. 1 shooter in the 10m air rifle event, Anjali won the 2002 ISSF Champion of Champions combined air-rifle event to become the first Indian to win that competition. That year she also won four gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and in 2003 she earned the distinction of being the first Indian woman to earn a gold medal at the ISSF World Cup final.
Harsha Bhogle (cricket):
One of the best-known voices in international cricket, Harsha broke onto the scene in the early '90s when Indians were little known for commentary roles on overseas networks. Harsha turned into one of the earliest superstars of the sport who was not a player himself and continues to be sought out for his sharp, evocative insights on the game.
Rahul Bose (rugby):
Actor, social activist, rugby player and boxer, Rahul Bose could equally describe himself as a champion for Indian sport. Bose may be known for his work in the film industry, but was also one of the pioneering first XV in India rugby, which played its first international in 1998. He is involved with several charitable institutions and also set up The Foundation, an NGO for education and assistance of children in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands following the 2004 tsunami.
Anju Bobby George (athletics):
Long jumper Anju Bobby George was the first-ever Indian to medal at the World Athletics Championships, in Paris 2003. Two years later, she won gold at the World Athletics Final in Monte Carlo, to go with her Asian Games and Asian Championship gold medals. Anju runs her own training academy in Bangalore and is currently serving as the chairperson the Athletes' Commission.
Jwala Gutta (badminton):
Two-time Olympian Jwala is famed as much for bringing doubles badminton into the spotlight as for her fearless stance on wide-ranging issues. She has won four medals at the Commonwealth Games between 2006 and 2014 -- including one gold, two silver and one bronze -- and, alongside her mixed doubles partner V Diju, rose to No. 6 in the world rankings in 2010, becoming the first doubles pair from the country to be placed inside the top 10. Teaming up with Ashwini Ponnappa in women's doubles thereafter, they became the first-ever Indian pair to medal at the World Championships with a bronze in 2011. Since stepping away from active sport, Jwala has been involved in mentorship roles and recently launched her own academy, housing 14 courts, in Hyderabad.
Nisha Millet (swimming):
The first Indian woman to go under a minute in the 100m freestyle, Millet was to dominate swimming in the country through the 1990s. Her records in the 200m and 400m freestyle stayed for 15 years, and she represented India at the Asian Games, World Championships and Sydney Olympics. Since retiring in 2004, she has coached the next generation of young swimmers at her academy.
Shaji Prabhakaran (football):
Currently serving as president, Football Delhi, Shaji is among the most feisty administrative voices in Indian football. He was FIFA Development Officer for South and Central Asia between 2011 and 2017, and is currently a senior consultant with AFC and consultant with FIFA and ICC.
Nirupama Vaidyanathan Sanjeev (tennis):
A pioneer in her own right, Nirupama was the first Indian female tennis player to turn pro in 1994 and at the 1998 Australian Open, became the first to win a round in the main draw of a Grand Slam event. Ranked No. 1 in the country for over a decade, she won the 1998 Asian Games mixed doubles bronze medal along with Mahesh Bhupathi and currently coaches young players in Florida.
Harendra Singh (hockey):
Former head coach of the Indian men's and women's hockey teams, Harendra guided the junior men's team to a stellar title win at the 2016 World Cup. He then assumed charge of the senior women's team that went on to win gold at the 2017 Asia Cup. The following year he found himself in yet another fresh role and in his first assignment as senior men's team coach at the 2018 Champions Trophy, they brought home a silver medal.
Rohit Brijnath:
A sports writer with 'The Straits Times' in Singapore and co-author of Abhinav Bindra's autobiography 'A Shot at History', Brijnath's is the byline Indian sports fans look for when following a story.
Jayaditya Gupta:
Executive editor, ESPN India and ESPNcricinfo.
Sharda Ugra:
Senior editor, ESPN India and ESPNcricinfo.
Debayan Sen:
Senior assistant editor, ESPN India.
Jonathan Selvaraj:
Staff writer, ESPN India.
Susan Ninan:
Staff writer, ESPN India and co-author of Viswanathan Anand's autobiography, 'Mind Master'.