Roop Singh Bais won his two gold medals together with his brother,Dhyan Chand, and is usually considered the best inside left of all-time. He was famous for his stick-work, hard hitting, and penalty corners. Singh scored 13 goals in the two games he played at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. A stadium in his hometown city of Gwalior was named after him. After the 1936 Olympic final a street in Berlin was also named for him, as well as a street at the Olympic Park in München in 1972. Singh was among three Indian players to have tube stations in London re-named for them prior to the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Singh belonged to the Bais Rajputs, a clan of wealthy landowners and liked to live and dress stylishly. As an officer he served in the Army of Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia.