The 10 Most Popular Sports in India
Everything you need to know about India's most popular sports
India is the world's second most populous country, with over 1.4 billion people, many of whom are passionate about sports, especially Cricket.
It is one of the booming economies in Asia and is accomplished in various fields of sport. India's ancient history and diversified culture substantially influence local and mainstream sports.
Millions of people play and watch sports connected to the country's colonial legacy.
These sports include cricket, tennis, football, badminton, etc. However, some sports, such as Kabaddi and wrestling, have traditional roots.
This is a summary of the 10 most popular sports in India.
1. Cricket
Cricket is the most loved sport in India.
It is deeply rooted in the country's culture and tradition. 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.
Statistical data shows that India has approximately three million registered cricketers. The country has hosted over 19,000 domestic, national, and international tournaments. It has over 2,000 cricket academies, centres, and stadiums.
In addition, India has hosted over 300,000 cricket matches. The country boasts numerous cricket coaching and training centres, allowing adults and children to learn and practice the game. There is at least one stadium in each city.
Most cricket stadiums provide quality and international standard coaching facilities and an abundance of qualified coaches.
First and foremost, India is a cricketing nation, and the game enjoys immense media coverage. This has grown exponentially since the introduction of the Indian Premier League, a T20 tournament that attracts global coverage and huge media attention.
The world’s best short format Cricketers descend on India each year to play in the IPL and are bought in an auction system, with the best players going for extraordinary sums. “A nice little earner” as they say.
The digital, televised, and print media covers all cricket tournaments due to the high demand from fans.
Cricket matches have become the central theme of billboards, flyers, TV commercials, and digital advertising.
2. Kabaddi
Kabaddi is the second-most popular sport in India. It is a sport native to India and Pakistan (the Indian subcontinent).
People in India have been playing and watching Kabaddi since ancient times.
However, today, it has become a premier sport in the country, thanks to the attention paid by the government and sports department and the emergence of world-class players.
Media has also played a key role in bringing professional Kabaddi players into the light. A kabaddi match is played between two teams. Each team has twelve players, but only seven are active on the field.
According to the Hindu, one of the leading newspapers in India, Pro Kabaddi is the most admired and watched sports league after the Indian Premier League (IPL). For instance, more than 435 million people watched the first Pro Kabaddi league held in 2014. On the other hand, 552 million people watched IPL, a cricket league, in India.
3. Field Hockey
What makes field hockey one of the most popular sports in India?
India has a diversified population with different sporting interests.
The availability of massive areas of land and large plots as playing fields make hockey a sport of choice in India.
Hockey does not require complicated gear, unlike cricket.
India established its first hockey club in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) in 1855. Since 1947 after gaining independence from Britain, India has thrived in this sport.
Research shows that India won eight Olympic gold medals in field hockey between 1928 and 1980. India played 134 matches and won 83 in the Olympic games.
Although hockey was the most popular sport in India, Cricket surpassed it after the 1983 world cup victory.
However, the government, sports ministry, and state departments make significant efforts to promote field hockey and provide opportunities for enthusiasts to participate in and practice the game throughout the country.
4. Badminton
According to Britannica, badminton has ancient roots in India and closely resembles the battledore and shuttlecock games.
However, Britannica also states that Brits introduced the contemporary form of badminton in India. British army officers stationed in Poona would play this game in the 1860s.
Today, badminton is one of the most popular sports in India. It is among the most played sport in India after cricket, field hockey, and Kabaddi. The Badminton Association of India manages this sport by organizing local, national, and international-level tournaments.
Many young individuals are taking a keen interest in badminton due to increased recognition and promotion by the media. At the same time, Indians have shined on world stages in badminton, which is another reason young people are interested in this game.
Indian national icon P.V. Sindhu is considered a modern Badminton great and has helped drive the popularity of badminton in India over the last decade.
5. Football / Soccer
Although football is not as popular as cricket, it has millions of fans throughout India.
Indian football has developed and grown substantially with an increased number of spectators, and the global pull of superstars like Messi and Ronaldo on TV screens and social media sites. The world’s most popular sport is making significant inroads in Indian popular culture.
The Indian Football Federation has established a strategic development plan, including infrastructure investment and competition-oriented development, allowing men, women, and children to train under professional coaches.
Indian football clubs invest in professional players to create a competitive environment and promote the sport in the country.
Professional games/matches have attracted spectators' attention, allowing them to enjoy exciting games in stadiums and on TV. India has four mainstream football leagues and hosts over ten national competitions.
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6. Wrestling
A growing body of evidence shows that wrestling, also known as Kushti or Pehlwani, is one of the oldest sports in India.
Indians, particularly those residing in rural areas, love playing and watching traditional Indian-style wrestling.
Bear in mind that Indian wrestling has several variations and styles based on regions and cultures. Indian wrestlers have achieved numerous victories and medals in international freestyle wrestling tournaments.
India is the only country in the world where traditional wrestling is an official Olympic sport. British officers introduced the modern form of wrestling in the 19th century. Since then, Indians have played and watched both traditional and contemporary freestyle wrestling.
Today, professional wrestlers from other countries come to India and participate in World Wrestling Championships. The tournament is held in Mumbai, the largest city and capital of Maharashtra, India.
However, wrestling is the most popular sport in Haryana, a north Indian state, which has produced several national and international-level wrestlers. For instance, Indians consider Gama Singh and Chandrarao Prasad Pandey the greatest subcontinent wrestlers of all time.
7. Tennis
Tennis has been a popular sport in the United Kingdom since the late 1800s when British officers and colonial settlers brought the sport to India.
While tennis was famous among the elites of the time, it gained popularity after the establishment of "The Punjab Lawn Tennis Championships," "The All-India Tennis Championships," and the Bengal Lawn Tennis Championships."
Today, tennis has a solid following in India, particularly in the northern states, including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, etc.
The Indian Open has become a prominent sporting event where professional tennis players come from around the world to play the game.
The sport is also popular in schools and colleges, allowing institutions to produce/recruit talented players such as national hero Leander Paes.
8. Basketball
Although basketball is not as famous as cricket and other sports, it has slowly and steadily become an enjoyable sport in India.
Schoolchildren and college students are the most attracted to basketball.
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.
As in many countries around the world, the power and alluring magic of the NBA has helped drive an increase in basketball popularity. As one of the most glamorous sports leagues in the world, the marketing message has travelled strongly to India, where hero-worship of stars such as Lebron James and Michael Jordan is commonplace.
9. Boxing
Boxing has a rich history in India, and Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) became the hub of Indian boxing in the early 20th century.
The British government established the first "Bombay Presidency Amateur Boxing Federation" in 1925.
However, after the independence, the Indian government renamed it the "Indian Amateur Boxing Federation." Millions of people in Indian watch international boxing matches on TV, so there is a growing fanbase.
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.
10. Motorsports
Motorsports gained a foothold in India sixty years ago.
However, fewer opportunities, less attention paid by the authorities, and high costs led to slow growth. Motorsports gained popularity in the 21st century as India became one of the growing economies in the world.
The past few years have experienced substantial growth in motorsports from participants, stakeholders, spectators, and audiences.
Thanks to increased participation in domestic, state, and national racing events, India will grow its role in the international motorsports domain.
Final Words on the Most Popular Sports in India
Although India has a long way to go to become a versatile sporting nation, things are changing slowly and steadily.
Several large cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata, are hubs for sports enthusiasts. However, corporates and organizations developing new events, leagues, and teams will put sports in India on the rise.
The Indian government, state departments, private investors, and business tycoons are investing in establishing attractive leagues, including Hockey Indian League, Pro Kabaddi League, and Indian Badminton League.
