Which is the national sport of India?

India's official national sport is actually a bit of a misconception, many people think it’s hockey, but India doesn’t have an officially declared national sport!

Why do people think it's hockey?

That’s because field hockey has an incredibly rich history in India. The Indian men’s hockey team was unbeatable from 1928 to 1956, winning 6 consecutive Olympic gold medals during that time. Legends like Dhyan Chand, often called the "Wizard of Hockey", made the sport iconic and a source of national pride.

However in 2012, an RTI (Right to Information) query indicated that India never official recognised any sports as the national sport. The government explained this to counter favoritism and the promotion of numerous sports.

So, what are India’s most loved sports today?

• Cricket is undoubtedly the most followed sport in India — it’s like a religion here.
• Hockey still holds emotional and historical value.
• Sports like kabaddi, badminton, wrestling, and football are also gaining massive popularity.

Fun facts:

• India has won 8 Olympic gold medals in field hockey, the most by any nation.
• The Pro Kabaddi League brought kabaddi into the limelight, turning a rural game into a national sensation.
• Cricket might not be the official national sport, but when India plays a World Cup match, it practically brings the country to a standstill!