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Top 6 Most Popular Sports in India

By Jagriti Das Feb 16, 2025, 19:51 IST
India is the hub of several popular sports such as cricket, kabaddi, badminton, and numerous others. All these games have been influenced in a major way by legendary sportsmen such as Virat Kohli and P.V. Sindhu, who have inspired many others to take up the games. Despite international championships and other countries conducting massive sporting events, India has established its place in the sporting world. The success of the nation at international sporting events, multicultural sporting heritage, emerging talent, and passionate supporters all contributed to the increasing importance of sports in the country. The further investment in sporting facilities also serves to promote the development of sports in India. Let us discuss the start of sports in India and determine the most recognized sports in the country. Origin of Sports in India India has an ancient sporting past that can be traced back as early as the Vedic age. The country is full of tradition and sporting heritage and features a legacy of games and sports dating back centuries. Pachisi, also known as the royal game, is one of the oldest around and was popular in the 4th century; it's considered to be the forerunner of the modern Ludo. Ancient Indian literature and sculptures also depict other games including martial arts, wrestling, and a few weapons-based games, showing India's early interest in body exercise and competition. Colonialism also brought with it Western games like cricket, hockey, football, and tennis. However, the country began to perform well internationally only after India gained independence, which increased participation and enthusiasm for the sport. The government has also attempted to preserve and promote traditional Indian sports so that the cultural heritage of the country receives its rightful place alongside modern sports. Most Popular Sports in India Cricket Cricket is the most-watched sport in India, and no other sport can match its fan base. Cricket is not only favored by kids but also by elders, and icons like Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya continue to inspire kids even today. Cricket has also made its way among women and has become a common game for all. There are numerous cricket stadiums in India, and cricket is a part of millions' hearts. Hockey Although cricket is the dominant sport, hockey is a highly popular game in India and is also officially recognized as the national sport. India has a rich history of hockey with eight Olympic gold medals between 1928 and 1980. The popularity of hockey was initially generated when India's first hockey club was established in Kolkata in 1855, and it remains a significant part of Indian sporting life. Football Football, while not as popular as cricket, has a following in India. The sport is loved across the globe, particularly in countries like Brazil and Argentina. Football ranks number 105 globally in India but still has a sizeable following, with most people watching matches on TV and the web. Football keeps picking up more momentum in India. Badminton Badminton has gained immense popularity in India, especially among women. Badminton has also found great success at the international level, thanks to the likes of Saina Nehwal, P.V. Sindhu, and Kidambi Srikanth, who have put India on the global map. Badminton's simplicity of play and achievement have increased its popularity and fan base in India. Wrestling Wrestling is another sport that has also seen a makeover in India. With its rural roots, wrestling has also gained traction in urban India because of Bollywood movies like Dangal and Sultan, which were inspired by true stories. While it cannot match cricket in terms of popularity, wrestling has carved out its niche in Indian sporting culture. Kabaddi Kabaddi is a popular native sport in India, particularly among rural society. It's a fast-paced game with a huge following, both in rural and urban society. Despite the popularity of Western sports like cricket and football, Kabaddi manages to survive, with regional tournaments and leagues guaranteeing its sustainability in modern India. In short, India's vibrant sports culture, backed by its emerging talent, passionate fans, and growing infrastructure, has helped other sports flourish across the nation. While cricket remains the undisputed king, hockey, football, badminton, wrestling, and kabaddi keep millions captivated, creating a unique and vibrant sports culture in India.

India is the hub of several popular sports such as cricket, kabaddi, badminton, and numerous others. All these games have been influenced in a major way by legendary sportsmen such as Virat Kohli and P.V. Sindhu, who have inspired many others to take up the games. Despite international championships and other countries conducting massive sporting events, India has established its place in the sporting world. The success of the nation at international sporting events, multicultural sporting heritage, emerging talent, and passionate supporters all contributed to the increasing importance of sports in the country. The further investment in sporting facilities also serves to promote the development of sports in India. Let us discuss the start of sports in India and determine the most recognized sports in the country.

Origin of Sports in India

India has an ancient sporting past that can be traced back as early as the Vedic age. The country is full of tradition and sporting heritage and features a legacy of games and sports dating back centuries. Pachisi, also known as the royal game, is one of the oldest around and was popular in the 4th century; it's considered to be the forerunner of the modern Ludo. Ancient Indian literature and sculptures also depict other games including martial arts, wrestling, and a few weapons-based games, showing India's early interest in body exercise and competition.

Colonialism also brought with it Western games like cricket, hockey, football, and tennis. However, the country began to perform well internationally only after India gained independence, which increased participation and enthusiasm for the sport. The government has also attempted to preserve and promote traditional Indian sports so that the cultural heritage of the country receives its rightful place alongside modern sports.

Most Popular Sports in India

Cricket

India is the hub of several popular sports such as cricket, kabaddi, badminton, and numerous others. All these games have been influenced in a major way by legendary sportsmen such as Virat Kohli and P.V. Sindhu, who have inspired many others to take up the games. Despite international championships and other countries conducting massive sporting events, India has established its place in the sporting world. The success of the nation at international sporting events, multicultural sporting heritage, emerging talent, and passionate supporters all contributed to the increasing importance of sports in the country. The further investment in sporting facilities also serves to promote the development of sports in India. Let us discuss the start of sports in India and determine the most recognized sports in the country. Origin of Sports in India India has an ancient sporting past that can be traced back as early as the Vedic age. The country is full of tradition and sporting heritage and features a legacy of games and sports dating back centuries. Pachisi, also known as the royal game, is one of the oldest around and was popular in the 4th century; it's considered to be the forerunner of the modern Ludo. Ancient Indian literature and sculptures also depict other games including martial arts, wrestling, and a few weapons-based games, showing India's early interest in body exercise and competition. Colonialism also brought with it Western games like cricket, hockey, football, and tennis. However, the country began to perform well internationally only after India gained independence, which increased participation and enthusiasm for the sport. The government has also attempted to preserve and promote traditional Indian sports so that the cultural heritage of the country receives its rightful place alongside modern sports. Most Popular Sports in India Cricket Cricket is the most-watched sport in India, and no other sport can match its fan base. Cricket is not only favored by kids but also by elders, and icons like Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya continue to inspire kids even today. Cricket has also made its way among women and has become a common game for all. There are numerous cricket stadiums in India, and cricket is a part of millions' hearts. Hockey Although cricket is the dominant sport, hockey is a highly popular game in India and is also officially recognized as the national sport. India has a rich history of hockey with eight Olympic gold medals between 1928 and 1980. The popularity of hockey was initially generated when India's first hockey club was established in Kolkata in 1855, and it remains a significant part of Indian sporting life. Football Football, while not as popular as cricket, has a following in India. The sport is loved across the globe, particularly in countries like Brazil and Argentina. Football ranks number 105 globally in India but still has a sizeable following, with most people watching matches on TV and the web. Football keeps picking up more momentum in India. Badminton Badminton has gained immense popularity in India, especially among women. Badminton has also found great success at the international level, thanks to the likes of Saina Nehwal, P.V. Sindhu, and Kidambi Srikanth, who have put India on the global map. Badminton's simplicity of play and achievement have increased its popularity and fan base in India. Wrestling Wrestling is another sport that has also seen a makeover in India. With its rural roots, wrestling has also gained traction in urban India because of Bollywood movies like Dangal and Sultan, which were inspired by true stories. While it cannot match cricket in terms of popularity, wrestling has carved out its niche in Indian sporting culture. Kabaddi Kabaddi is a popular native sport in India, particularly among rural society. It's a fast-paced game with a huge following, both in rural and urban society. Despite the popularity of Western sports like cricket and football, Kabaddi manages to survive, with regional tournaments and leagues guaranteeing its sustainability in modern India. In short, India's vibrant sports culture, backed by its emerging talent, passionate fans, and growing infrastructure, has helped other sports flourish across the nation. While cricket remains the undisputed king, hockey, football, badminton, wrestling, and kabaddi keep millions captivated, creating a unique and vibrant sports culture in India.
Cricket is the most-watched sport in India, and no other sport can match its fan base. Cricket is not only favored by kids but also by elders, and icons like Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya continue to inspire kids even today. Cricket has also made its way among women and has become a common game for all. There are numerous cricket stadiums in India, and cricket is a part of millions' hearts.

Hockey

Although cricket is the dominant sport, hockey is a highly popular game in India and is also officially recognized as the national sport. India has a rich history of hockey with eight Olympic gold medals between 1928 and 1980. The popularity of hockey was initially generated when India's first hockey club was established in Kolkata in 1855, and it remains a significant part of Indian sporting life.

Football

Football, while not as popular as cricket, has a following in India. The sport is loved across the globe, particularly in countries like Brazil and Argentina. Football ranks number 105 globally in India but still has a sizeable following, with most people watching matches on TV and the web. Football keeps picking up more momentum in India.

Badminton

Badminton has gained immense popularity in India, especially among women. Badminton has also found great success at the international level, thanks to the likes of Saina Nehwal, P.V. Sindhu, and Kidambi Srikanth, who have put India on the global map. Badminton's simplicity of play and achievement have increased its popularity and fan base in India.

Wrestling

Wrestling is another sport that has also seen a makeover in India. With its rural roots, wrestling has also gained traction in urban India because of Bollywood movies like Dangal and Sultan, which were inspired by true stories. While it cannot match cricket in terms of popularity, wrestling has carved out its niche in Indian sporting culture.

Kabaddi

Kabaddi is a popular native sport in India, particularly among rural society. It's a fast-paced game with a huge following, both in rural and urban society. Despite the popularity of Western sports like cricket and football, Kabaddi manages to survive, with regional tournaments and leagues guaranteeing its sustainability in modern India.
In short, India's vibrant sports culture, backed by its emerging talent, passionate fans, and growing infrastructure, has helped other sports flourish across the nation. While cricket remains the undisputed king, hockey, football, badminton, wrestling, and kabaddi keep millions captivated, creating a unique and vibrant sports culture in India.

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