However, it is European football, such as the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, and the UEFA Champions League, which are very popular among Indian football fans, especially in metropolitan cities. From impromptu games in neighborhood streets to intense matches in packed stadiums, cricket can be found in every corner of India. Celebrations during tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL) or the Cricket World Cup often resemble festivities, with fans enthusiastically supporting their favorite team and players.

Before delving into the list, it is essential to first know that these sports have been ranked on the basis of their pure popularity in India. The placement of any sport on the list is not indicative of India’s performance in general. When given the right training and focus, many Indian athletes have gone on to bring medals from the Olympics. Since the 2004 Athens Olympics, India has always managed to get atleast a medal at the Games. Sports like badminton, boxing, wrestling, archery, and shooting are showing glimpses of promise. While cricket may be a national obsession, hockey is India’s national sport.

In ancient times, wrestling in India was mainly used as a way to stay physically fit. Wrestling in India is also known as dangal, and it is the basic form of a wrestling tournament. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is the national governing body for football in India. It is affiliated with FIFA, the international governing body of football, and the Asian Football Federation (AFF).

• It is the most popular spectator sport in India.[128] India is a cricket powerhouse, having won the ICC ODI World Cup and the ICC T20 World Cup twice.
• The Cycle Polo Association of India was officially created in 1966 it has its office in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

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• Many of them have notched first descents (similar to climbing ascents) on rivers in India and Nepal.

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• Over time, it became the most successful sport for India on the international stage.

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• Sports have always been an integral part of Indian culture, with references dating back to ancient times.

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• India also has a place in the field of motor sports, with F1 drivers such as Karun Chandhok or Narain Karthikeyan.

Although moreÂ… India has not had a lot of success, basketball continues to be popular in India. There has also been an emergence of professional boxing leagues, such as the Indian Boxing Council (IBC) and Super Boxing League (SBL), which has generated greater interest in the sport. Wrestlers, known as ‘pehlwans” or ‘kushti players’, are highly respected and revered figures in their communities. Many famous Indian wrestlers have become national heroes and role models, inspiring generations of aspiring wrestlers. The league generated a fair amount of viewership down to its fast-paced format and the presence of top-rated Indian players. Saina Nehwal wrote her name in the history books at the 2012 Olympics when she won a bronze medal.

Sports in India : past, present and future

The country’s first rowing club, the Calcutta Rowing Club was founded in 1858. India’s first ever Asian Games gold medal was won by Bajrang Lal Takhar in 2010[184] but the country has never won an Olympic medal in the sport. In 2021, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu won silver medal in 49 kg category in 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan. In 2022, she won Gold in weightlifting at Birmingham Commonwealth games. HI also conducts a franchise-based tournament called the Hockey India League (HIL). It is recognised by the FIH, which has also decided to provide a 30-day window for the forthcoming seasons so all top players can participate.

Khelo India Youth Games

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the richest sporting body in the world, surpassing major bodies in other sports such as football, baseball, basketball, American football, and golf. At the same time, the sports departments in each state focus on promoting boxing and recruiting world-class players to participate in events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and World Championships. There is a growing interest in basketball in India despite the socio-economic hiccups. Remember, basketball is not the leading sport in India right now, yet, it has immense potential to challenge other sports, such as badminton, Kabaddi, football, and tennis.

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New Delhi (Dhyan Chand National Stadium)

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Being a private body, BCCI was able to auction broadcasting rights to the highest bidder. This increased revenues which in turn went into creating a strong grassroots programme to allow the best talent to come through. The same programme has seen some great players emerging through the ranks and winning many accolades for Indian cricket. Sport in India is an area which has always managed to unite a large segment of the population on one side of the aisle. There are seldom instances when Indians unite as a nation behind a common cause and sporting event are some of those instances.

Television broadcasts, online streaming platforms, and social media have played a significant role in promoting boxing events and highlighting the achievements of Indian boxers. Since then, boxing has become one of India’s most popular sports, especially among the amateur ranks. The British introduced the sport to India but over time, cricket became deeply ingrained in the Indian culture and has been embraced as a symbol of national identity.

With over a billion people and numerous regional sports such as kabaddi, cricket, wrestling, and even traditional games like kho-kho, it is challenging to pinpoint one sport that represents the entire nation. Movies such as these play a crucial role in educating the general public about sports they have little knowledge about. Though surpassing the popularity of cricket may seem far-fetched, creating a sports culture in the country is crucial for future success at major tournaments. This trend has changed as a crop of Indian players have made a name for themselves and India on the international stage. After establishing herself across various tournaments, Saina Nehwal etched her name in history books at the London Olympics in 2012 by picking up a bronze medal. However, it is a fast-growing sport as some Indian sporting clubs are beginning to embrace the game.

At the same time, Indians have shined on world stages in badminton, which is another reason young people are interested in this game. Although the British rule of India first introduced the sport, it became an integral part of the country’s history, culture, and tradition. Research shows that cricket draws in 93% of sports viewers throughout India. Gilli-danda, Karra billa or Viti Dandu in Marathi is a game played by using one small stick (gilli) and a large stick (danda) like cricket, with the ball replaced by gilli.