Indian bridge coach Vinay Desai has a simple diagnosis for why contract bridge struggles to capture the imagination of young Indians: the sport is still waiting for its Viswanathan Anand. Speaking ahead of the 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championship, set to be held in Goa from 21 to 27 June, Desai said a breakout moment at the highest level could do for bridge what Anand did for chess in India.

India's Squad and Medal Expectations

India arrives at the Asia Cup with a competitive squad. Among the key names are 2018 Asian Games bronze medallists Sumit Mukherjee and Rajeshwar Tiwari, who were part of India's Men's Team at Jakarta. Decorated player Kiran Nadar, also a bronze medallist from the 2018 Asian Games, will partner long-time teammate B. Satyanarayana in the Mixed Teams category.

Desai is targeting at least two medals — specifically in the Open and Senior Team categories — as the Bridge Federation of India (BFI) hosts what is being described as the country's biggest international bridge tournament in recent years.

A Sport Stuck in an Ageing Bracket

Despite India's consistent international performances, contract bridge has effectively become what critics call a 'Grandpa's Game', with most top players in their 50s or 60s. Desai acknowledges the problem candidly. Tournaments are held across the country every weekend, yet youth participation remains alarmingly low — a concern flagged not just domestically but also by the World Bridge Federation.

'See, chess had Viswanathan Anand, and then the whole lot followed with Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh, and all those young guys. Bridge doesn't have a Viswanathan Anand as of now. If we break the barrier and win or come in the semis or something in the major events, then it can take off,' Desai said in an interview.

Rising Standards, But a Long Road Ahead

Desai does see reasons for cautious optimism. Over the past 4–5 years, a growing number of foreign players have been visiting India for leisure tournaments, partly driven by corporate sponsorship of international events. That increased exposure, he argues, has gradually lifted the domestic skill level.

'Now, when you compete against them, naturally, your skills are going to improve. So the Indian standard is slowly, slowly improving. But we still need one Viswanathan Anand factor here to make a mark,' Desai said.

Asian Games Setback Clouds the Picture

The sport had received a significant boost when the Olympic Council of Asia included contract bridge in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and the 2022 edition in Hangzhou. India performed admirably across both editions. Pranab Bardhan and Shibhnath Sarkar won gold in the Men's Pair event at Jakarta, with bronze medals in the Men's Team and Mixed Team sections. At Hangzhou, the Indian men's team — comprising Ajay Khare, Sumit Mukherjee, Jaggy Shivdasani, Sandeep Thakral, Rajeshwar Tiwari, and Raju Tolani — claimed a silver medal.

However, bridge has not been included in the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan — a significant setback for the sport's visibility and recruitment pipeline. Officials and players are hoping the Asia Cup in Goa can reignite interest and build a case for bridge's return to the Asian Games roster.

What Comes Next

The 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championship in Goa represents more than a competitive milestone — it is a window for the sport to showcase itself on home soil and, ideally, trigger the kind of public attention that has so far eluded it. Whether a strong Indian performance can begin to shift the demographic needle remains to be seen, but for Desai and the BFI, the tournament could not have come at a more important moment.