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Top 10 Most Popular Sports in India: Passion & Play

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There are many popular sports in India, from which cricket gets the grand treatment as the religion. Out of these, only some indigenous sports have gained mainstream popularity and media attention.

Considering India’s jovial sports culture, each sport possesses its share of crazy fandom at varying levels. Even while commuting through public transport, attending events and parties, or chilling outdoors with friends, no one can resist following their favorite sports, especially when crucial matches and tournaments are underway.

In the present day, most prominent sports in India have gained high popularity owing to constant media footage and attention and coverage. Getting regular personal and professional updates on your favorite sportsperson is like a regular hobby for 99% of Indians today.

Top 10 sports popularly followed in India

Besides cricket and football, India’s sports spectrum is extremely diverse in today’s scenario. This diversity is aided by the nation’s rural-urban dichotomy. While mainstream global sports (like football, and tennis) are quite the talk of urban megacities, grounded sports like Kho-Kho, Kabaddi, and some more are still socially prevalent in underprivileged setups.

Let’s check out the Top 10 popular Sports in India:

1. Cricket

Cricket

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Cricket is also called the “Gentleman’s Game”. It first reached India during the 19th Century, under British colonial rule. By the following century, cricket had gained massive international traction. Today, Indian cricket is the most popular spectator sport and is often mistaken as the ‘National Sport of India’.

William Gilbert Graceby is considered the global father of international cricket. However, Sachin Tendulkar is the “GOD of Indian Cricket” for the Indian fans. The rich history of Indian Cricket is followed by its unparalleled legacy.

India won the 1983 ODI World Cup under skipper Kapil Dev’s leadership for the first time. Later, India won its second ODI World Championship against Sri Lanka in 2011. It was an honor for the whole nation to witness Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s on-field performance in the same match. 

The ‘Indian Premier League’ (IPL) is the Indian spin-off version of International T20 cricket matches. However, instead of international teams, the players represent 10 Indian states as per the tournament’s schedule. Each team’s participants vary across states and nationalities and are fixated through annual IPL auctions.

Game Rules

Cricket is a game that’s played with a bat and ball on a 22-yard pitch. There are 2 teams, each comprising 11 players that include batsmen, bowlers, and a wicketkeeper. Two batsmen play against the bowlers and fielders of the opposing team. Batsmen change whenever they are bowled out either from run-out or catch-out. There are two on-field umpires to monitor the game. 

Game Formats

  • Test Match: It’s considered as the supreme game format. After winning the toss, each team continues their preferred delivery mode (batting/ bowling) for 4 innings straight, until all the players are sent back to the pavilion.
  • One-Day: Each team individually plays their preferred delivery mode (batting/ bowling) for an entire inning (50 overs). Roles reverse early if all the batsmen of the batting team get dismissed within that inning.
  • Twenty20: Both the teams individually play their preferred delivery mode (batting/ bowling) for 20 overs or till all the batsmen get dismissed within that span.

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2. Field Hockey

Field Hockey

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Field Hockey is the OG National Sport of India. The legacy of Indian Hockey brings immense glory to the nation. Throughout the 20th Century, the Indian Men’s team of 11 Indian players consecutively clinched 8 Olympic Gold Medals for 8 consecutive Summer Olympics. Three of these 8 Olympic Gold Medals were gifted to this nation by the legendary Field Hockey player, Dhyan Chand.

During that phase of their invincibility, Field Hockey was recognized as a professional sport. Dhyan Chand was accredited as ‘The Wizard/Magician of the Hockey World’ for his excellent ball control.

It was abruptly terminated in 2017 due to financial constraints. To revive its national popularity as India’s National Sport, the Government of India has joined hands with the Government of Odisha to establish poignant measures. 

The ‘Hockey India League’ represented 6 state/ city teams competing for the trophy. 8 men’s and 6 women’s teams would be reinstated when the tournament resumes. 

Game rules 

90 minutes, 2 teams, 11 players make up the hockey game. The ground has a rectangular shape. The team that scores more goals wins the game. Players can pass or dribble the ball with their hockey stick. Once the player comes into the inner striking circle, they shoot the ball to score a goal.

Game Formats

  • Field Hockey: This standard hockey format is played outdoors. The playground is made of artificial grass turf. Players wear spiked sports shoes to establish better field grip. This is mainly played in the tropical countries. The base of their hockey stick is made of wood, which is used to direct the ball towards the goal.
  • Ice Hockey: Popular in temperate countries, this deviant hockey is played on an indoor ice-skating rink. Players wear ice skates as their principal footwear for gliding smoothly over the rink. The base of their hockey stick is attached to a metal plate. This facilitates the quick maneuvering of the hockey puck.

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3. Football

Football

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Football is the most popular world sport. However, Football enjoys regional popularity in India. Football was brought to India by the Britishers during the 19th Century. However, ‘Mohun Bagan’ was the first Indian club to beat ‘East Yorkshire Regiment’ in 1911. Since then, football emerged to be a crucial symbol of India’s freedom movement.

The 20th Century witnessed the prime era of football as one of the popular spectator sports. Besides participating in international tournaments, The Indian team even triumphed at the Asian Games of 1951. Reportedly, Team India also qualified for the FIFA World Cup 1950, though they didn’t participate.

However, poor performance by Indian players over the last few decades prompted fans to switch over to European football. Stalwart players of current times like Baichung Bhutia and Sunil Chhetri have immensely contributed on-field to reclaim back the India-dominated position in the footballing world.

To combat these challenges, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is building various participation scopes for the budding Indian players. National-level private football leagues like the “Indian Super League” enable talented young players to play on-field with experienced glocal players in 12 teams. These measures are collectively reviving football’s status as one of the most popular sports in India. 

Game Rules

It is a 90-minute long game that is divided into 2 parts. Two teams of 11 players including 1 goalkeeper for each team. Between each round (half-time) there is a 15-minute break. The motto is to score as many goals as possible in the goalpost of the opposite team. Outfield players cannot use their hands or arms to catch the ball to avoid a Foul. However, the goalkeepers are allowed to do so only if the ball is inside the penalty area. 

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4. Kabaddi

Kabaddi

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Having its roots in the Indian subcontinent, Kabaddi is known to be one of the most popular Indian sports right after cricket. Being played since the ancient era as one of the traditional Indian sports, Kabaddi significantly reflects the Indian culture as a ‘contact team sport’.

On-field, two teams of seven players alternatively challenge each other turn by turn. The challenging team’s raider trespasses halfway into the other team’s base, luring the latter to get captured before they return to the main exit line. If the opponent team wins this challenge on time, they gain a point. However, if they fail to capture the raider within the exit line, the raider scores for his team.

Kabaddi is popularly played throughout the rural regions of many Indian states. This indigenous game was first globally demonstrated at the New Delhi Asian Games (1951). Both national men’s and women’s teams portray strong participation at international tournaments.

To boost its commercial popularity throughout the world, the All-India Kabaddi Federation introduced the “Pro Kabaddi League”. Participating state-wise, 12 teams face off against each other within indoor enclosures. Their management by various industrialists and Bollywood celebrities helps garner mass and media attention.

Game Rules 

It is a 40-minute game. The kabaddi ground is equally divided among two teams of seven members each. Each team gets the opportunity to send one player to the opponent’s side. The player who goes while holding their breath is called a raider and the opposite team members are called defenders. 

The goal of the raider is to tag an opposite team member to their half within 30 seconds while intoning “Kabaddi Kabaddi”. However, if they fail to cross the checkline or break breadth, the point goes to the opponent team. The raider gets one point on crossing the check line whereas the defender secures a point when they tackle the raider. 

Game Formats

  • Standard Style (Indoor): This format is played on a rectangular floor. ‘Interlocking kabaddi mats’ made of soft EVA foam are used for the enclosure’s flooring.
  • Circle Style (Outdoor): Dimensional circular boundaries are drawn outdoors for each team. This format includes four regional forms; ‘Sanjeevani’, ‘Gaminee’, ‘Amar’, and ‘Punjabi’.

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5. Badminton

Badminton

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Historically, this racket sport originated from China, Greece, and India. However, badminton was named after ‘Badminton’, an English country estate of Gloucestershire, where this was most played in Europe. Players use long rackets and a shuttlecock to play. The outdoor court is divided from the center by a net. The game can be played in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.

Most urban Indians play Badminton, the other popular sport in India. Prominent Indian badminton players like Pullela Gopichand, PV Sindhu, and Saina Nehwal have flooded our nation with honor and glory. Lakshya Sen is a celebrated junior Indian badminton player.

Saina Nehwal was a renowned world champion in the badminton world. PV Sindhu has bagged a Gold medal, 2 Silver, and a Bronze medal by participating in the Olympic Games, Asian Games, and the Commonwealth Games. This year, the Indian team participated in the Asia Team Championships and clinched their first Gold medal.

The Badminton Association of India organizes the “Premier Badminton League” (PBL). This Indian tournament is played by 7 Indian teams representing 7 Indian cities.

Game Rules 

Two players play against each other for 21 points. The best three games are counted. Each serves secures a point for the player. When the service score is even or zero, players serve from the right service court. On the other hand, when the score is odd, the players serve from the left service court. 

Every time a player serves, they score a point. If the cock hits the net, it is a disqulaify and the point goes to the opponent. Additionally, if the cock touches the ground or if gets hit twice by the same player from the same ground, it is a foul. While serving or during a rally, if the cock lands outside the court, it fetches you zero points but opponet players gets your point. 

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6. Tennis

Tennis

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This classified European racket sport was initiated in the UK’s Birmingham. The field setup and player distribution at either side of the court net are similar to badminton. However, tennis involves a fluorescent ball and shorter wired rackets for play. This is a double/ multiplayer outdoor sport.

As one of the most popular sports in India, Tennis is profusely played by the urban Indian societies. Indian school and college students take an interest in playing Tennis. Junior Tennis aspirants represent their concerned institutions at various international competitions and bring fame to the country.

Indians love to follow popular international and Indian tennis championships like “International Premier Tennis League”, “US Open”, “Wimbledon Championships”, and more. Popular tennis stars like Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and many others are this sport’s prominent global Tennis beacons. The rich history of Indian Tennis was fortified by legendary Indian Tennis stars like Rohan Bopanna, Sania Mirza, and the ‘Grand Slam Doubles Titles’ holder – Leander Paes.

Game Rules 

The game begins when the umpire tosses the coin and the player who wins gets to choose. Each player has two serves per point. For a perfect serve, the player must ensure teh ball crosses the netand lands within the marked serving area. To win a score, the player must hit  the ball before it bounces or after the first bounce. Failure to do so, the opponent player will score a point. If the player wins three sets or two sets its a win for them.  

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7. Wrestling

Wrestling

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Wrestling is one of the most popular sports in India, especially among men. As one of the oldest Indian sports, wrestling is associated with the Indian culture, in terms of showing respect towards land, soil, and fellow participants. Historically, Indian wrestling was a popular sport amongst bodybuilders and farmers.

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is the Indian wrestling institution known for selecting eligible candidates. They aspire to represent the country in the world of wrestling.

Prominent Indian wrestlers like Geeta Phogat, Bajrang Punia, and others represented India in famous world wrestling championships like the Olympics, Continental Championships, and Freestyle Wrestling World Championships. Only Sushil Kumar is celebrated as the country’s two-time Olympic Medalist.

Game Rules 

To pin down your opponent on their back is the winnn shot in Wrestling. If no one gets knocked down, the player who has scored more bceoems the winner. A player can score points either by a Takedown (2 points), Escape (1 point), Reversal ( 2points) or Near Fall (2-3 points) and Penalty Points (1-2 points). 

Game Formats

  • Amateur Wrestling (Dangal): This format is popular in India. It is executed on open fields and the match results are organically determined.
  • Professional Wrestling: This format is more commercialized and is conducted in an indoor wrestling ring. Popular in the USA, the outcomes are pre-fixed. Its execution is corely entertainment-centric to generate kayfabe.

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8. Basketball

Basketball

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This team sport gained global traction during the American anti-racist movement. Since the 20th Century, American Players of African descent excelled in fair play for being taller and stronger than the average team sport. This sport ultimately turned into a symbol of strength through their movement.

In 1930, the first Indian basketball match was played. The first-ever men’s “Indian National Championship” (1934) was organized in New Delhi by the “Basketball Federation of India” (BFI). 

Apart from promoting basketball in India, BFI ensures that Indian basketball players get to represent their country at the global forum. The Indian women’s basketball team often qualifies for FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.

Game Rules 

It is a 90 minute game, one team agaisnt the other. Each team has 5 players on the court and the reamininhg 7 players are standbys. Once a field goal is scored, the team secures two points. However if the goal is scored from the behind the three-point line, the team scores a soloid three points. Players can bounce or dribble teh ball while passing it to the teammate or while aiming for the basket. 

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9. Table Tennis

Table Tennis

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One of the most popular sports in India, Table Tennis is extremely popular amongst scholars and collegiates. Most Indian schools and colleges have prioritized establishing a TT setup as a part of their ‘ADMS curriculum’. This has actively fostered this sport’s popularity amongst the nation’s urban kids.

Unlike Lawn Tennis, Table Tennis is played within a spacious indoor enclosure. The game is played on a table. This table is bifurcated along its width by the tennis net. Its palm-sized racket looks like a spatula. Its padded surface is used to continuously hit the ping-pong ball.

Famous Indian TT personalities who have placed India on the world map are Manika Batra, Mouma Das, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, and many others. India bagged the Bronze medal for ‘Women’s Doubles’ in Asian Games 2023. Both TT and Lawn Tennis can be played in doubles, singles, and mixed setups. 

Game Rule 

The game is played is played for 11 points. The best three out of five is considered. Each player gets two serves against oen point. If the serve is missed by the opponent player, the serves gets teh point. The serve can land anywhere on the table for singles. However for doubles, the  serve must be directed to teh right sode of the court. 

One can touch the ball with teh paddle hand but cannot touch the table with non-paddle hand. If anyhow the ball bounces back over the net all by itself then the server secures a point. A seve that touches the net during aa rally it is a ley serve and it starts from the top. 

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10. Bowling

Bowling

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This sport enjoys high popularity in urban India, especially in its metropolitans. Invented in ancient Egypt, bowling gained massive public traction in England and America. This one sport naturally prioritized women’s participation in those days and even formed separate councils for them.

The “Bowling Federation of India” and the “Tenpin Bowling Federation” are the main Bowling institutes responsible for monitoring India’s bowling scene. Passionate players participate in the “National Tenpin Bowling Championships” to master skills and set new records. Dedicated qualifiers can land themselves at the “World Tenpin Bowling Championships”.

To play this game, bowlers roll a ball down the long alley and wait for it to knock down all the pins present at its end. These metal balls are available at varying weights to counter every player’s body weight.

Unfortunately, Bowling is mostly perceived for recreational purposes in India. Young Indians across the various metropolitans head to the popular bowling hubs in town. Despite being popular amongst youngsters, Bowling is costly to play. There are plenty of developmental prospects for this sport.

Game Rule 

A bowler gets two balls per frame only if they miss to strike all the pins. A total of 12 strikes, the game is of 300 points. The player has to swing the ball behind the fouil line otherwise it is a foul. If the ball falls into teh gutter despite striking few pins, it is no longer counted as a successful strike. The gutter is out of bounds and cant fetch you any scores. 

Game Formats

  • Pin Bowling: Being played in an indoor setup, there are 5 types of bowling; namely ‘Ten-pin’, ‘Nine-pin’, ‘Candlepin’, ‘Duckpin’, and ‘Five-pin’.
  • Target Bowling: This format is played on outdoor lawns.

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Finishing off in Style!

Just like every other socio-ethno-cultural aspect, India’s sports diversity remains unfathomable. This aforementioned list mentions the ten most popular sports in India. This list interestingly reflects India’s urban-rural disparity. Indigenous sports like Kabaddi and Wrestling reflect the Indian culture.

However, Indian athletes across all sports still struggle to procure their due respect and recognition. The ulterior prioritization of academics over extracurricular activities puts India’s sports culture and sports scene at stake.

If handled with care and determination, apart from high-profile academicians and IPS officers, this country would be generating a plethora of talented sportspeople who’ll shower this country with medals and trophies.

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