India is a nation that breathes sport. While cricket occupies a place close to religion in the national consciousness, the country’s sporting landscape is far more diverse than any single game. From the kabaddi arenas of rural Punjab to the badminton courts of Hyderabad, from the football stadiums of Kolkata to the archery ranges of the northeast, India’s sporting culture reflects its rich regional diversity. Here is a look at the top sports played in India.
1. Cricket
Cricket is more than India’s national sport — it is a cultural phenomenon that transcends class, language, and geography. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the richest and most watched cricket league in the world. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the wealthiest cricket board globally, and India’s national team commands one of the largest fan followings in sport. From Test cricket to the T20 format, cricket is the backdrop of Indian life, played in backyards, on beaches, and in stadiums that hold over 130,000 spectators.
2. Field Hockey
Field hockey is India’s national sport and the game in which the country has achieved its greatest international success — eight Olympic gold medals, the most of any nation. Indian hockey legends like Dhyan Chand, Balbir Singh Sr., and Udham Singh were regarded as the greatest players of their era. After decades of decline, Indian hockey underwent a remarkable revival, with the national men’s team winning the bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics — India’s first Olympic hockey medal in 41 years.
3. Badminton
India has emerged as a global powerhouse in badminton, producing world champions and Olympic medallists including P.V. Sindhu (two-time Olympic medallist), Saina Nehwal (Olympic bronze medallist), Kidambi Srikanth, and Lakshya Sen. The Badminton Association of India has developed strong grassroots programmes, and badminton courts can be found in virtually every city and town across the country.
4. Kabaddi
Kabaddi is an ancient contact sport that originated in the Indian subcontinent and remains one of the most uniquely Indian sporting spectacles. The Pro Kabaddi League, launched in 2014, transformed the sport into a prime-time entertainment product with packed stadiums and massive television audiences. India has dominated the Kabaddi World Cup since its inception, making this the one sport where India is truly the undisputed world superpower.
5. Football
Football may be second to cricket in most of India, but in West Bengal, Goa, Kerala, and the northeast, it is a passion that rivals cricket in intensity. The I-League and the Indian Super League (ISL) are the country’s two top-flight competitions. Kolkata’s Mohun Bagan — one of the oldest football clubs in Asia — and East Bengal have a rivalry called one of the most passionate in world football.
6. Wrestling (Kushti)
Traditional Indian wrestling — kushti — has an ancient history rooted in the akharas (wrestling gyms) of northern India, particularly Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab. The discipline produced Olympic legends like Sushil Kumar (double Olympic medallist), Bajrang Punia, Ravi Dahiya, and Vinesh Phogat. The Phogat family’s story — immortalised in the film Dangal — brought Indian wrestling to global attention.
7. Athletics
Indian athletics made history at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics when Neeraj Chopra won gold in javelin throw — India’s first-ever Olympic gold in a track and field event. Chopra’s achievement triggered a surge of interest in athletics across the country. Long-distance runners, sprinters, and shot putters from across India’s diverse regions represent the broad geographic base of Indian athletic talent.
8. Chess
India has an extraordinary relationship with chess — the game itself is believed to have originated in ancient India as chaturanga. In modern times, India produced World Champion Viswanathan Anand (five times world champion) and a remarkable generation of young grandmasters including D. Gukesh (who became the youngest World Chess Champion in 2024), R. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and Nihal Sarin.
9. Boxing
Indian boxing gained global recognition through M.C. Mary Kom — six-time World Amateur Boxing Champion and Olympic bronze medallist — and Vijender Singh, India’s first Olympic boxing medallist. The sport has strong roots in Manipur, Haryana, and Punjab. Mary Kom’s story has inspired millions of young girls from small towns to take up the sport and pursue Olympic dreams.
10. Shooting
India’s shooting federation has produced some of the country’s finest Olympic performers. Abhinav Bindra’s gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in 10m air rifle was India’s first individual Olympic gold medal. Manu Bhaker won two medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, representing the new generation of world-class Indian marksmen and women. The National Rifle Association of India operates world-class ranges and a systematic talent development programme.
A Sporting Nation Rising
India’s sporting ambitions have grown enormously in the 21st century, supported by government initiatives like the Khelo India programme and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). As infrastructure improves and sporting culture deepens at the grassroots level, India is steadily emerging as a multi-sport nation on the world stage — a transformation that reflects the country’s broader rise as a global power.
