India is a country that is fiercely devoted to sports. Sports in the country are both symbols of regionalism in the case of local teams, as well as national unity when the country comes up against rivals in international tournaments.
This leads one to wonder: Are the country’s favorite sports remaining the same, or are they shifting among certain parts of the population? Let’s take a closer look.
Cricket Remains the Favorite
Times may be changing to some extent, but some things remain the same. Cricket continues to be the most beloved sport in India, and it is said that more than half of the country’s 1.4 billion population is a fan of the sport. Cricket serves as a way of bringing people together, in stadiums, pubs, and most recently wherever people may gather around a smartphone to view a game. It is also an important part of Indians’ regional identities. Many Indians are big fans of their local or regional clubs, with new clubs opening up all the time to welcome young players.
When it comes to international competition, cricket is India’s biggest way of pronouncing its national pride. Particularly when the country comes up against a big rival like Pakistan, or its former colonizer, England, you will see Indian nationalism come out at its finest. The Indian Premier League, the regular competition governed by the International Cricket Council, is one of the most watched competitions in all of sports. You can access cricket and all your favorite sports through an online betting app, and try your hand at putting your money on your favorite team.
Kabaddi also Remains Popular
The second most popular sport is India’s own invention, Kabaddi. Having originated in ancient India, the sport remains popular in India and throughout South Asia.
The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is the sport’s governing body in the country. It was only established in 2014 but now has its own competitive season and is followed throughout the country with great enthusiasm. In addition to playing nationally, India competes against its neighbors in international competitions. Kabaddi is now the national sport of neighboring Bangladesh, and competition can be fierce between the two countries. As a sign of its continuously increasing popularity, it is actually said that kabaddi attracted more viewers last year than football did.
Football is Still Popular, But Not Number 1
Of course, football remains very popular in India. Although not quite as much a symbol of Indian identity as cricket or kabaddi, football still has fans throughout the country and is popular throughout Indian regions, as well. India has never competed in a World Cup, but its fanbase in the country remains strong.
The Indian Super League (ISL) and the I-League are the two bodies responsible for governing football activity throughout the country. The ISL was only founded in 2013, so it could be the beginning of future growth of the sport.
Badminton is Widely Played
The second most widely practiced sport in the country is actually badminton. India is still finding its place among more seasoned Asian rivals in the sport, but it is very popular among the general population. It is also seeing a consistent rise in online and TV viewership.
India has a few players that have been making names for themselves at the international level.
Given the sport’s popularity at the recreational level, it could well be that India may become an international powerhouse in the future.
Check it All Out Online
Fortunately, with the rise of the Internet, we now have access to all our favorite sports, pretty much any time we want. We don’t have to rely on regional TV coverage or scrambling to make it to a game anymore.
Betting is also becoming increasingly popular across a range of sports. Thanks to the wide availability of information on statistics, players, and teams, people can now go online and find out the histories of any sports they want. And you can put your money on it, too. Check out https://india1xbet.in/en/mobile and see if you can make a buck on your favorite team. You never know what might happen.
