17-year-old Anshul Bhatt drives revival of bridge once played by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Bridge, a card game once enjoyed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, has diminished from India’s sporting consciousness. Seventeen-year-old Anshul Bhatt is attempting to change that trajectory, inspired by Viswanathan Anand’s view that "bridge is where chess was two decades ago" and by his own success at the highest level.
The decline of bridge in India contrasts with its earlier popularity among notable figures such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Anshul Bhatt has emerged as a focal point for efforts to renew interest: he is winning world titles, mentoring younger players, conducting research and attempting to marshal support for a broader revival. Those activities form the core of a campaign aimed at restoring bridge to a more prominent place among mind sports in the country.
On the competitive front, Bhatt’s recent results have given the movement momentum. He has been securing world titles that draw attention to the sport and demonstrate the potential for international achievement by Indian players. Those victories serve both as proof of concept and as inspiration for peers and aspirants.
Alongside his competitive achievements, Bhatt is actively involved in nurturing the next generation. He is mentoring young players, providing guidance and experience to those newly interested in bridge. This hands-on coaching is complemented by his efforts in research, which aim to deepen understanding of the game and improve training methods.
Bhatt’s work extends beyond individual development to institution-building and advocacy. He is engaged in efforts to build a movement around bridge, seeking to assemble players, coaches and interested stakeholders to increase participation and visibility. The objective is to generate the conditions for sustained growth rather than isolated successes.
A thread running through these initiatives is the comparison to chess’s rise in India, a trajectory highlighted by Viswanathan Anand’s assessment that "bridge is where chess was two decades ago". That perspective informs Bhatt’s strategy: combining competitive excellence, youth development and scholarly work to create momentum.
If Bhatt’s multi-pronged approach continues to gain traction, it aims to deliver the long-awaited breakthrough for bridge in India. His blend of titles, mentorship, research and advocacy is intended to rekindle public interest and establish a lasting platform for the mind sport.