India is a nation of sports lovers and with a population of more than 1.4billion, there are a number of different games enjoyed by people all year around. From sports created in nations like England to pursuits with origins firmly in India, the country enjoys playing and watching a mix of pastimes. 

Sport lovers who also enjoy backing their favourite teams, can compare and assess the Best Betting Sites in India in order to make informed decisions when placing a wager. This article will assess the sports that are most popular across India.

Cricket

The Indian Premier League is the most-attended cricket league in the world and the sport is comfortably the most popular in the country with the game entwined in Indian culture and heritage and more than five million people participating.

The India national team has excelled on the global stage, winning the Cricket World Cup in 1983 and 2011, the first-ever ICC World Twenty20 in 2007 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.

Cricket is played everywhere across the country and the nation has produced some of the finest cricket players in history, most notably world class batsman Sachin Tendulkar.

Kabaddi 

Kabaddi is a traditional Indian sport dating back thousands of years and has remained hugely popular thanks to its accessibility as it requires minimal equipment and can be played in an open space.

The game involves two teams facing off on a rectangular court with the two sides taking it in turns to send a ‘raider’ into the opponent’s half. The job of the raider is to tag as many defenders as possible before returning to their half. However, the defenders must stop the raider by tackling him before he can return. 

Kabaddi’s popularity in India is proven by the fact it is often played during celebrations, festivals and get-togethers. The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) meanwhile, was formed in 2014 and attracted 435 million viewers on TV.

India’s other Favourite Sports 

Football is a popular sport in India though the nation itself has not had major success and is yet to play at a World Cup. However, the Premier League is watched by millions of people and the top teams including Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool are well followed. 

Field Hockey is also popular as it can be played in open spaces and varying numbers of participants. India has enjoyed the sport over the years, with the nation’s field hockey team being the most successful at the Olympics with eight gold medal wins.

Summing Up

Sports remains one of the most popular pastimes across India with millions of people enjoying playing and watching throughout the year.