The importance of sports is rooted in the culture within Indian Society. From the ancient games of the indigenous people to contemporary world sports, the Indian athletic terrain is as diverse as its terrain. As a nation with many different cultures, India plays various sports such as cricket, football hockey, basketball and cricket. We have listed the most popular 10 sports practiced in India by 2024.
1. Cricket
Cricket is a sport that has a place in the heart of each Indian. It is a team sport played using a ball and bat. There are two teams comprised of eleven players per. The first time that India hosted a World Cup was won in 1983 under the direction of legendary player Kapil Dev. It was the Indian Premier League (IPL) which was held in 2008 revolutionized sports by introducing a an amazing mix of local stars as well as international talents.
Through the decades, India has recorded unlimited tests and bilateral series with some awe-inspiring players. India has produced many famous cricketers, and has now become an icon which will inspire numerous cricketers throughout the generations.
2. Kabaddi
Kabaddi is a game which originated among the rural indigenous of Indian time. The pro-Kabaddi League, which was created in 2014 following the Indian Premier League (IPL) has brought it recognition as a professional sports. It is a team-based sport that was developed through the idea of training for recreational warfare. Indian professional kabaddi players such as Ajay Thakur Anup Kumar, and Rahul Chaudhari have built a solid reputation at the Asian tournaments and Kabaddi world cup. India is one of the most skilled players of kabaddi around the World. India has won every kabaddi match up to 2017 and is performing superbly. The introduction of Kabaddi within Indian academics is a sign of its bright future in India as well as globally.
3. Football
Football is one of the top 10 most popular sports played in India. It is a renowned and adored sport across West Bengal, Kerala, Goa and the Northeastern states. It is played by teams that use spherical circular-shaped balls that are played on a rectangular field, with two goalie players each. Indian Super League (ISL) which was held in 2014, has boosted the standings that this Indian football championship. India has played in a fierce contests with excellent players and coaches like Mumbai City FC, Bengaluru FC as well as ATK Mohun Bagan. Successes in the Asian Games in 1951 and 1962, in which India received the gold medal, show the rich history of football in India. Sunil Chhetri, the country’s most prolific goal scorer has the fourth-highest number of goals scored at international tournaments. The popularity of football is growing in India this is a sign of the growing enthusiasm in India for sports.
4. Badminton
In addition to cricket, badminton ranks as the second most popular sport played in India. The game involves hitting a lightweight object known as a shuttlecock using the form of a net bat, also known as the Racket. The shuttlecock is then passed to a player on the other side, and must be deflected by the other player. Indian badminton heroes like Saina Nehwal as well as P. V. Sindhu created a lasting impression at the Olympics by winning silver, bronze as well as gold awards. With more and more people becoming interested in badminton, it is likely that the numbers will increase eventually because of the outstanding performances of Indian athletes in this sport.
5. Hockey
Hockey, India’s national sport is a popular sport for the younger generation. In hockey, every team is comprised of 10 outfield players who utilize a hockey stick to strike the ball. The game may be played using normal synthetic, watered, and turf. India was awarded six gold medals playing hockey during the Olympics from 1928 until 1956. Balbir Singh Sr.’s performance in his performance at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics was laudable in which he scored five goals. India is a great source of inspiration for its famous athletes to play in this sport and makes it a fervent nation across the globe.
6. Basketball
Basketball has been an integral part of Indian traditions since ancient times. It’s a game played by a team of players who attempt to avoid the ball from the net. The growing popularity in Jr NBA programs in India has surpassed 5.5 million youngsters as well as coaches and parents. The program offers basketball coaching to junior players. In India the NBA operates in over 19 cities. Through the years, India has seen progress in this field, with India’s Indian Women’s Basketball team getting certified for the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup. Satnam Singh Bhamara was one of the very few Indian basketball player picked for nitpicking from the NBA in the year 2015. His dedication to the game has brought him recognition in India and has helped other players find motivation.
7. Wrestling
Like Kabaddi Wrestling also has roots in rural regions. It is an imitation of the old Indian game called pehlwani. India has won numerous prizes in the field of wrestling. Sushil Kumar was a double Olympic medalist as well as a accomplished Olympian during Indian history. The stunning performance of female wrestler Geeta Phogat, who took home the gold medal at an international contest is not less stunning. Haryana is known as being the Kusti capital in India and has produced numerous champions across the country.
8. Tennis
Tennis is only available in urban areas, yet it is still among the top 10 sports in India that are popular. It’s a racket game like badminton, but with two opponents. They play one-on-1 either in single matches or pairs of two players each. In this game it is played with a shuttlecock substituted by the tennis ball. The court is divided into two sections using nets. In the year 2018, Manika Batra and Sharath Kamal, who played mixed double, made history by winning India an Olympic bronze medal at the Asian Olympics. Table tennis is a sport with a bright future and is expected to leave a mark on the sports world.
9. Boxing
Children are introduced to boxing by WWE. The rise of skilled boxers such as Vijender Singh, and MC Mary Kom, India has been able to win numerous medals. Boxing isn’t an amateur game as described in the Olympics-approved form. It is a sport that has a lot of life. When Vijender Singh began his career in 2015 and became a professional within just a few months. In the course of nine bouts, he was able to win every one of them. Through this He also was the winner of his first Asia-Pacific Championship, which further boosted his career. Later, he moved to the top 10 spots in the sport of boxing professional.
10. Malkhambh
Malakhamb is another sport that is popular in India. It is a form of yoga that involves aerial poses and fight with grabs. This is all done using a vertical wooden pole. Free-standing poles are made out of Seesham Indian rosewood and polished using castor oil. This is the place the place where gymnasts practice and showcases his talents.
Conclusion:
In India there are a lot of admirers of cricket. But, other sports are growing in popularity quickly, and many should be aware of. People like the MC Mary Kom, Sachin Tendulkar as well as Sunil Chettri have been a source of pride for our country and have a lot of followers across the globe.
