India is without a doubt a country filled with great sporting talent who have always been the pride and joy of the nation. Athletes are resilient, hardworking, and dedicated to their passion. The country is home to a multitude of sporting legends in a broad range of sports. But what exactly are India’s top sports, you may be wondering. Read further to find out.
Cricket Ranks Best
This is surely India’s most often watched, favorite sport of all time. On an international scale, the country’s national team are held in high esteem, with the Board of Control for Cricket making a large profit. One of the most successful cricket leagues here is the Indian Premier League.
Some of the most iconic Indian cricketers of all time are Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and the unforgettable Kapil Dev. The country has also claimed victories with the International Cricket Council (ICC), the global ruling body of the sport.
Did you know that online cricket betting is fast becoming an income steam for many? Try your luck and find online betting providers, such as IndiaSlots, for the best cricket betting odds and live betting features.
Soccer: India’s Other Popular Game
Soccer ranks exceptionally high on India’s popular sports list, with the love of the game growing in leaps and bounds. Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has ranked India, and the national team also receives the greatest support from their Indian patrons, as it’s the passion of the game that drives both players and supporters.
Hockey and India’s Olympic Medals
Hockey is another all-time favorite in India, and is the game of the country. Indian athletes have done their country proud with Olympic level hockey. Athletes here have brought home gold, silver, and bronze medals. The number of Olympic medals for Hockey exceeds that of any other country.
Badminton
This too is another all-time national favorite. It’s widely enjoyed in the country, and is governed by the Badminton Association of India. Saina Nehwal, the Indian badminton legend, is truly in a league of her own. She’s highly acclaimed and was recognized 2nd globally in the 2010 badminton rankings.
She also brought home an Olympic bronze medal for badminton in 2012. Others following in her impressive footsteps include Pullela Gopichand and Prakesh Padukone. They had both won first place in the 1980 and 2011 All England Open.
Tennis
Tennis ranks high on India’s sporting popularity list too, and players teaming up for doubles have been very successful. Tennis wizzes Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza hold an impressive record and have made their country proud.
Chess Talents in a League of International Proportions
This sport has become very well known in Indian due to the global influence of Chess master Viswanathan Anand. Anand is a former world champion, and held the coveted title of Indian Chess Master. Many of the Indian youth are influenced by his achievements and aspire to follow in his footsteps.
Motorsports: An Indian Craze
This sport was not always popular in the past, but is fast becoming one of the most entertaining, well-loved sport in the country. In recent years, Formula One was introduced to the country and even though many don’t race, there are some amazing team players here. The support for motor racing is also huge.
India saw its first Formula One driver compete in 2005. The country also hosted its first Formula One Indian Grand Prix in 2011.
Basketball
The country adheres to the basketball regulations put forth by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). The game is enjoyed primarily by students and is highly popular in high schools, colleges, and universities. Not that others do not play the game though. It’s also loved by other age groups, and the game is played by ladies and gents.
Satnam Singh is a renowned Indian basketball talent. He plays for the St. John’s Edge of the National Basketball League (NBL) of Canada.
Tags: Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Football, Hockey, Tennis
