Understanding the ESPN World Fame 100 List

The ESPN World Fame 100 is an annual list compiled by ESPN that ranks the 100 most famous active sportspersons across the globe. The ranking is typically based on a combination of factors, which may include endorsement money, social media following, and internet search popularity.

Indian Presence on the 2017 List

The question specifically asks about the 2017 edition of the ESPN World Fame 100 list and which Indian player held the highest rank on that list in that particular year.

Let's examine the options provided:

• Viswanathan Anand
• Virat Kohli
• MS Dhoni
• Sania Mirza

All the individuals listed are renowned Indian sportspersons who have achieved significant fame in their respective fields: Viswanathan Anand in chess, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni in cricket, and Sania Mirza in tennis.

Identifying the Highest Ranked Indian in 2017

In the ESPN World Fame 100 list released in 2017, several Indian athletes were featured. Among the options provided, one player had a significantly higher ranking than the others.

According to the 2017 list, the highest-ranked Indian player was Virat Kohli.

Virat Kohli, a prominent figure in international cricket and the captain of the Indian team at the time, was ranked quite high globally on the list, making him the top-ranked Indian sportsperson that year.

Comparing Rankings (Illustrative)

While the specific ranks of all options in 2017 aren't strictly necessary to answer the question, understanding their general presence on such lists helps. In 2017, Virat Kohli was indeed the highest-ranked Indian on the ESPN World Fame 100 list. Other players like MS Dhoni also featured on the list, but typically below Virat Kohli's rank. Viswanathan Anand and Sania Mirza, while famous, might have had different rankings depending on the list's specific criteria and global popularity metrics for that year.

Therefore, focusing specifically on the 2017 ESPN World Fame 100 ranking, Virat Kohli held the highest position among the Indian players listed in the options.

Revision Table: Key Concepts

Additional Information: Indian Athletes and Global Fame

Indian athletes gaining global recognition on lists like the ESPN World Fame 100 highlights the growing international profile of sports in India, particularly cricket. Players like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni are not just famous in India but have significant fan bases and endorsements worldwide, contributing to their high rankings on global fame indexes. The presence of players from other sports like tennis (Sania Mirza) and chess (Viswanathan Anand) on global lists also reflects their individual achievements and popularity.

The criteria for such lists can vary year to year, affecting rankings. However, the core idea remains identifying athletes with significant global reach and fame beyond their immediate sport and country.