India is a land of diversity and it is no different when it comes to sports. With so many options to choose from, the country has a large number of sports enthusiasts. But there are certain sports that are more popular than others. When it comes to sports, cricket is the undisputed king in India. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t other sports that are equally as popular and loved. In fact, there are many different sports played with great enthusiasm and passion by Indians from all over the country.
There are some that have made an impact on Indian society in a big way. Sports like cricket, hockey, tennis, and badminton are extremely popular all over India and also among Indians living abroad. Cricket is by far the most popular game in India as well as the world at large. It is not only played with crazy passion but also analyzed brilliantly and followed religiously across the country. Hockey too has a huge following with Indians thronging to watch international and domestic tournaments with great enthusiasm. Let’s take a look at the ten most popular sports in India:
Cricket
We all know how popular cricket is in India. But how did this sport come to rule the roost in the hearts of Indians? The game has its origins in England, where it was played as an alternative to baseball. The first references to cricket come from the 16th century when the sport was played with a soft ball made of wool. The modern version of cricket was invented during the Victorian Era when the British Empire was at the height of its power. Cricket was exported to the far corners of the empire, and it was played on every continent except for Australia and Antarctica. Cricket is now the most popular sport in every former British colony. Cricket is played in every state in India, and the country has won most of the major international tournaments. India’s national cricket team is currently ranked number 1 in the world and has won several consecutive matches.
Cricket is played in some form or the other across the length and breadth of the country. From the school playground to the corporate boardroom, and from street corners to village fields, you will find people indulging in this sport. It is loved by people of all ages and backgrounds. Today it is one of the most loved sports in the country. Cricket is India’s most popular game. The game is played between two teams of 11 players each, on a field that is 22 yards long and 10 yards wide. The team that gets all the batsmen out (or ‘to retire’) wins the game.
Kabaddi
Kabaddi is one of the most widely played sports in India and is usually associated with rural areas because of its simplicity and ease of playing. However, it has received a massive shot in the arm over the last few years because of the Pro Kabaddi League. The league has brought together many of the best kabaddi players from around the country, and the sport has received unprecedented media attention. The Kabaddi World Cup also comes around once in four years, where the best kabaddi teams in the world compete with each other to win the title. With kabaddi being played in stadiums that are packed with a raucous crowds, it’s easy to understand why many consider it to be one of the most popular sports in India.
Football (Soccer)
Football is by far one of the most popular sports in India, and it is played all over the country. It has been growing in popularity ever since the Indian Football Association was formed in 1950. Today, the country’s national team is in the top 100 in the FIFA ranking and is currently placed at 97th. The team has a strong youth squad, and many people believe that it’s only a matter of time before they break into the top 50. The Indian Super League has been revolutionizing the sport in India, and football stadiums are regularly packed with fans, many of whom are not even interested in football. With football getting so much attention in India and growing rapidly, it’s without a doubt one of the most popular sports in the country.
Tennis
Tennis is one of the oldest sports in the world. Although it’s most popular in western countries, India is among the few Asian countries where tennis is gaining popularity and has a thriving tennis culture. Tennis is played in almost every part of India, with the exception of the northeastern states. India has won several medals in tennis, especially in the doubles format. The country’s top tennis idol is Leander Paes, who won a silver medal in the 1996 Olympics. There are almost 20 tennis stadiums in India, and many more are expected to come up in the near future. Currently, many international tennis tournaments are held in India, including the prestigious WTA Future Indian Open.
The country has seen some excellent tennis players come up in recent years, and it is hoped that the sport will receive a boost in popularity. The Indian tennis team has also performed well at the international level. Tennis is played between two players, one on each side. The objective of this game is to get as many points as possible. Each side gets two points if they win a game. If both sides get one game each, then the side that gets two points wins. If both sides get zero points, then the side that wins one game gets two points.
Hockey
Hockey is another popular sport in India. It is played mainly in the northern parts of the country. It is often referred to as a gentleman’s game and is played by many Indians at various levels. The Indian national hockey team has won several medals in international tournaments. Indian hockey is played on a field that is 120 yards long and 80 yards wide. Each team consists of 11 players, one of whom is a substitute. The team that scores the most goals wins the match.
India is one of the top contenders for winning the most gold medals for the sport in the Olympics. It’s estimated that 1.2 billion people in India play hockey, and it’s played in almost every Indian state. The game is rooted in India, where it was played as an aristocratic pastime as early as the 8th century. The sport was introduced to Britain in the 1850s, where it was initially ridiculed as too “barbaric” for British gentlemen. Hockey is now hugely popular in several Commonwealth nations, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and England. The India men’s national field hockey team and the women’s national field hockey team both won gold medals in the Olympics.
Badminton
Badminton has a rich and fascinating history in India, and it’s one of the most popular sports in the country right now. The All India Badminton Championship is one of the oldest sporting events in the country and was first held in 1911. Since then, it’s been played every year and is one of the most important events in the badminton calendar. Badminton is played in many states of India, and there is a national championship for both men and women. People have won many medals for India in the Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games, and the Olympics. Badminton is a sport that’s enjoyed by people of all ages and genders, and it’s easy to understand why it’s one of the most popular sports in India.
Badminton is a team game that is played with a racket and a shuttlecock. The Indian badminton team has produced many world-class players over the years. Badminton is played between two sides, each consisting of either one or two players. The objective of the game is to get your shuttlecock to the other side of the net.
Baseball
Baseball is a sport where two teams of nine players each try to score more runs by hitting a ball with a bat and running around four bases. This sport was introduced in India by the British during the colonial era. The Baseball Federation of India (BFI) is the governing body for baseball in India and is an associate member of the International Baseball Federation.
Baseball, one of the most popular sports in India, has seen a spurt in popularity in the past few years. This is especially due to the fact that people can play it in their backyard or at the nearest park. Couple this with the fact that it is an exciting sport to watch too, and you get an extremely popular sport. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people play baseball in India, either competitively or as a casual hobby. If you’re one of those looking to get into the sport, then you will find your way into clubs pretty easily. As far as the level of popularity of baseball in India goes, there has been a definite spike in popularity in the past few years. This is especially true for the younger generation, who have been seeing the sport played on television for a long time now. With the advent of social media and online content, it has become easier than ever to connect with baseball fans across the country.
Basketball
Basketball is another popular sport in India that has been growing in popularity steadily over the past few years. There are a few reasons behind this. One of them is that you can play basketball at the nearest court or playground. This makes it easily accessible to most people of all ages. Basketball is also one of the most popular sports in India at the collegiate level. This is primarily due to the fact that the sport is very popular in the United States of America. This makes it easier for Indians to connect with the sport. There are also a handful of Indian players who have made their mark in the international basketball circuit. This has helped put the sport on the map in the country and has led to a growing number of followers. The advent of digital media has also helped basketball become even more popular in the country. There are a lot of people who are interested in the sport and want to know more about it.
Basketball is played in the country’s southern parts, especially in Kerala. It is also gaining popularity in the northern states, such as Punjab and Haryana. The Indian basketball team has performed well in international tournaments, and there are high hopes for this sport in the country. Basketball is played by two teams of five players each. The objective of this game is to shoot the ball into the net of the other team.
The Basketball Federation of India (BFI) is the governing body for basketball in India. Basketball was introduced in India by the YMCA and the British during the colonial era.
Wrestling
Wrestling is one of the most popular sports in India. It is one of the oldest sports in the country too. Wrestling is one of the core sports that is played in most colleges and universities in the country. This sport has been around in India for thousands of years. This is why it is one of the most popular sports in India. Wrestling is played across the country and at every level, from college competitions to state-level meets, and even in international championships. The advent of digital media has also helped wrestling become a more popular sport in the country. There are a lot of people who are interested in the sport but don’t know how to get into it. The advent of various online communities has helped make wrestling more popular in the country.
Boxing
Boxing is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing has been an integral part of Indian culture for centuries. Modern boxing in India is governed by the Indian Boxing Federation. Boxing is one of the six sports which has been a part of the Asian Games since its inception.
Boxing is one of the most popular sports in India, especially in the north. It is widely believed that the sport’s popularity in India is due to the fact that the Indian army used to employ boxers as soldiers in the past. Boxing is a sport that has a fairly wide demographic of followers. You will find people of all ages practicing or watching boxing events. The level of popularity of boxing has seen a significant rise in the past few years. This is primarily due to the advent of digital media and streaming services. Now, people can easily watch live boxing events on the internet. This has led to a surge in the popularity of boxing and has helped link together people who are passionate about the sport across the country. There are quite a few boxers in India who are making their mark in the international boxing circuit. This is an extremely encouraging sign for the future of boxing in the country.
Conclusion
We have listed the ten most popular sports in India right now. Apart from cricket, these are the other sports that Indians love to play and watch. Football is growing in popularity, and so is badminton. Basketball has been an underground sport but is gaining more attention. Kabaddi is also one of the most popular sports in India. So, these are the sports that you should watch out for in the future. Besides these, there are also sports like field hockey, tennis, table tennis, golf, wrestling, boxing, and hockey that are played with great enthusiasm and passion in India. All of these sports are played by millions of people across the country, but they don’t enjoy the same kind of attention that cricket does. If you are someone who is interested in any of these sports, then you will have no trouble finding people to play with or follow the sport. All of these sports have a wide following in the country and have been growing steadily over the past few years.