Traditional games of India
India has several traditional games and sports, some of which have been played for thousands of years. Their popularity has greatly declined in the modern era, with Western sports having overtaken them during the British Raj, and the Indian government now making some efforts to revive them. Many of these games do not require much equipment or playing space. Some of them are only played in certain regions of India, or may be known by different names and played under different rules and regulations in different regions of the country. Many Indian games are also similar to other traditional South Asian games.
A kho-kho defensive player (centre) runs from one half of the court to the other to avoid being touched by an opponent.
An Indian stamp from 1990 commemorating the introduction of kabaddi, India's most popular traditional sport, into the Asian Games.
A few traditional Indian games have been noted for being similar to games throughout the Global Southeast, such as atya-patya, whose Indonesian variant gobak sodor is pictured here.
A photo from 1870 depicting Hyderabadis preparing for pehlwani.
India has a history of sports dating back to the Vedic period. Cricket is the most popular spectator sport; it generates the highest television viewership, with the Indian Premier League (IPL) being the most-followed league in the country. Football has also gained popularity, with the Indian Super League (ISL) being the highest level of domestic football, and the national team winning multiple gold medals at the Asian and South Asian Games. Additional football accomplishments include India having reached the Groupstage of the 1960 Olympics, qualified for the 1950 FIFA World Cup, and won the SAFF Championship. Other sports include kabaddi, badminton, tennis, and athletics, with kho-kho becoming the fourth-most viewed sport. India has also had success in field hockey, winning the World Cup and multiple medals in the Olympic Games. Sports such as golf, rugby, boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, motorsport, wrestling, and basketball are featured throughout the country.
Former Indian men's cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni while batting. Under his captaincy, India have won the most ICC trophies.
Kerala Blasters FC fans in Kaloor Stadium during an ISL match
A team tackle occurring in the ancient Indian game of kabaddi.
The Indian Hockey team at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, later going on to defeat Germany 8–1 in the final.