By Sports are a source of pride for every Indian. When an Indian wins on a global stage, it’s not an individual victory, but the victory of more than 1.4 billion people. However, over the past decade, sports participation in India has grown rapidly, with participation across a variety of sports. This raises a very good question, which we will answer in this blog: which are the top 20 sports in India? Is it football? Or perhaps basketball? Or maybe the most obvious answer, cricket. Let’s find out.
Top Sports in India: Based on Their Viewership
Before listing the most famous sports in India, we should note that this list isn’t based on any particular metric; wehave selected it based on our findings.
1- Cricket
Now that we have gone through the top 20 sports in India, it’s time to discuss the king of sports in India. Cricket is the sport that every Indian grows up playing and watching. When the boys in blue play, the whole country goes on vacation because cricket is that big in India. There is this saying in India that “Cricket is not a sport, it’s a religion in India”. This perfectly embodies the role cricket plays in the Indian sports scene and society.
2- Football
It’s not a surprise that Football, the Sport Mundial, is also among the most famous sports in India. Although the sport is famous all over India, it enjoys a special popularity in Indian states like Kerala, West Bengal, Goa, and north-eastern India, which consists of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim.
The popularity can also be attributed to the sport’s global stigma and the performances of Indian players like Sunil Chhetri. On top of that, Indian football leagues are gaining traction, showcasing homegrown talent and attracting international stars. As the roar of the crowd grows louder, football’s popularity soars, transcending boundaries and uniting people from diverse backgrounds, making it one of the top 20 sports in India.
3- Kabaddi
If there is one sport that starts and ends with India, it’s Kabaddi, because India has won every single Kabaddi World Championship. Moreover, Kabaddi is an integral part of the Indian sports ecosystem, having existed for centuries. If this wasn’t enough, the domestic Pro-Kabaddi League helped the sport attract more attention than ever before. Today, Kabaddi is much more than a traditional sport and is considered one of the top 20 sports in India.
4- Hockey
During the British Era, India was a powerhouse in Hockey and a force to be reckoned with; however, after the 1980 Olympics, India did not enjoy much success, partly due to rule changes introduced. However, this didn’t diminish the sport’s popularity in India, and to this day, Hockey remains one of the top 20 sports in India.
5- Badminton
Badminton is one of the top 20 sports in India, and its popularity stems from the success of Indian shuttlers on the global stage. For a decade or so, India has had a shuttler in the top 10 of the BWT rankings, starting with Saina Nehwal, followed by PV Sindhu and now, Lakshay Sen. However, the first-ever Indian to reach the no. 1 ranking internationally was Prakash Padukone, a well-known and revered personality in the Indian badminton scene.
6- Wrestling
Wrestling, commonly known as Kushti in India, is a staple of Indian sports and has produced many world-class athletes. This has helped wrestling become one of the top 20 sports in India. Notable athletes like Babita Phogat, Geeta Phogat, Sushil Singh, and Bajrang Punia have brought glory to India in the ultra-competitive sport of wrestling.
7- Athletics
India was introduced to athletics during the British Raj. However, it became one of the top 20 sports in India after the triumph of athletes like Milkha Singh, commonly referred to as the Flying Singh, who at one point held the international record in the 400m race. Ever since then, numerous others have tasted success. One of the most recent examples is Neeraj Chopra. India’s javelin athlete who brought two medals in consecutive Olympic events.
8- Tennis
One of the top 20 sports in India, Tennis has long been a staple in the Indian sports scene. Ever since the triumphs of Indian players like Leander Paes and Sania Mirza, tennis has become a household name. Sania Mirza’s accolades helped the sport a lot and kept it relevant to Indian audiences for a long time. Throughout her career, Mirza won 6 major titles, three in women’s doubles and three in mixed doubles. Moreover, she was ranked by the WTA as India’s number 1 player in both categories.
9- Boxing
Although boxing has a long history in India, it hasn’t had a large viewership there, particularly because of the lack of high-level international victories. This, however, changed after Vijender Singh Won a Bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Moreover, Mary Kom’s multiple world championships helped boxing gain centre stage in the Indian sports scene. This made both of them the top Indian boxers who created history in the ring. As a result, boxing emerged among the top 20 sports in India.
10-Table Tennis
One of the top 20 sports in India, Table Tennis has a long history in India. A part of pretty much every school curriculum, Table Tennis is fun to play and watch. Although the whole country watches TT, it’s especially famous in states like Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and West Bengal. Some of the most notable Indian Table Tennis players include Sharath Kamal, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran, and Manika Batra.
11- Motorsports
Motorsport has always been popular in India. However, a wave in the 2000s and 2010s gave the sport a new life. With Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok as the flag bearers, motorsport became very popular in India. Moreover, F1’s arrival at the Buddh International Circuit also helped the sport’s visibility in India.
12- Archery
One of India’s biggest setbacks has been the unavailability of equipment. This plagued archery as well. However, over the past few years, especially following Sheetal Devi’s Paralympic triumph, Archery has become a household name and one of the top 20 sports in India.
13- Gymnastics
Although India has long had disciplines like Gymnastics, namely Malakhnmba, the popularity of Gymnastics increased in 1969 when Mantu Debnath got India its maiden win in an international competition. Then, 41 years later, India got its second international medal when Ashish Kumar won Bronze and Silver in the 2010 Commonwealth Games. This was enough to make Gymnastics one of the most popular sports in India.
14- Swimming
Swimming has been part of Indian sports since British ships arrived on Indian shores. India’s first major milestone in swimming came in 1958 when Mihir Sen became the first Asian to cross the English Channel. A year later, Arati Saha became the first Asian woman to do the same. This significantly boosted the popularity of swimming in India.
15- Kho Kho
Kho Kho is one of India’s oldest games, believed to have evolved from traditional chase games played in Rural India in the 4th century or so. However, in the 20th century, the sport’s official framework was established, and it has since become a staple of Indian schools, colleges, and other events.
16- Chess
Chess, originally known as Chaturanga, is often touted as an Indian game that travelled from the Arabs to the rest of the world. In doing so, the game changed to the point where it became unrecognisable; the game’s main motive and craze never dwindled, making it one of the top 20 sports in India.
17- Weightlifting
Although not a very popular sport in India, weightlifting began to gain traction after the establishment of the Indian Weightlifting Federation, which standardised competitions and crowned national champions. However, after Karnam Malleswari won bronze in the Sydney Olympics, the sport exploded in popularity.
18- Shooting
No Indian can ever forget when Abhinav Bindra won a Gold medal in shooting at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, handing India its first individual Olympic gold. This was the moment that almost a billion people started watching the shooting, even though it was only when an Indian was on the pedestal. Abhinav Bindra’s single medal made shooting one of the top 20 sports in India.
19- Body Building
Bodybuilding has always been big in India. However, it became one of the top 20 games in India. It is accessible, affordable, and closely tied to the country’s long tradition of physical culture, akharas, and strength training. The rise of gyms, social media fitness influencers, and opportunities in modelling, security, and sports careers has further increased youth interest.
20- Basketball
Basketball is a top sport in India due to its fast-paced nature, minimal equipment requirements, and strong presence in schools and colleges. Exposure through international leagues like the National Basketball Association, grassroots programmes, and urban courts has inspired youth participation, making it one of the fastest-growing team sports in the country.
Top 20 Sports in India that Have Shaped a Country!
Sports are not just an activity in India; they’re an emotion; they’re a way for people to stand by their country and their states. The Indian sports ecosystem has had its bad days, but make no mistake: Indian sports is slowly but steadily gaining traction and the notoriety it needs. From Indian cricketers, to footballers, to athletes and everyone in between, all are giving everything they have to see India at the top pedestal of their respective sports. So, there you have it, these are the top 20 sports in India. Here at SportsnScoop, we strive to bring you well-researched, relevant content to help you stay ahead of the curve.
