Sports are what make the world go round - Indian sports make it worth living.
IndiaGamblers simply love Indian sports and sports betting. For us, talking about sports betting is like having breakfast; we have it every day, we love it, and it is the most important meal of the day.
In this Indian sports section, we list the most most popular sports in India, including cricket, football, and kabaddi. Learn about top leagues, players, and betting opportunities for Indian sports.
Cricket betting is an obvious choice, but we currently see Kabaddi betting and Field Hockey betting increasing in popularity. If you are new to sports betting, we recommend you take the time to read our articles to get a basic understanding of what gambling is all about.
When you are ready to place your bet, visit one of our top recommended betting sites to learn more. Click the “claim bonus” button to get the bonus reward when you open a betting account with one of the betting sites.
Naturally, any sport involving snow or ice is not going to be very popular with us Indians. We appreciate good weather, teamwork, close combat, and hard work. All of the most popular Indian sports include the aforementioned ingredients.
We at IndiaGamblers will try to do our utmost to guide our readers through the jungle of Indian sports. Update you on recent events, how to think when you’re ready to bet, and also keep you posted on all the latest betting promotions.
Betting sites will, on a regular basis, offer targeted betting promotions on different sports. Our job is to keep an eye out and always fill you in on the most recent offers.
Kabaddi goes back to the dawn of the ages and has grown to become immensely popular. Few other team sports are as physical and as demanding as Kabaddi. The same thing goes for Indian Field Hockey, which is also starting to grow internationally.
Cricket, Football, and Tennis all originated in England but are still very close to the hearts of us Indians. Betting on Horse Racing and Badminton are also popular in India.
India is home to some of the world’s most exciting sports leagues, with packed stadiums, passionate fans, and high-stakes action. Whether it’s the IPL’s explosive sixes, ISL’s rising football stars, or PKL’s high-energy kabaddi battles, these leagues define India’s sporting culture. Here’s a closer look at the biggest tournaments that keep India glued to their screens.
The Indian Premier League is more than just a cricket tournament - it’s a global phenomenon. Since its launch in 2008, the IPL has redefined T20 cricket, attracting top international players and massive betting action.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2008 |
| Format | T20 (20 overs per side) |
| Number of Teams | 10 |
| Most Successful Team | Mumbai Indians (5 titles) |
| Most Runs | Virat Kohli |
| Most Wickets | Yuzvendra Chahal |
With big sixes, last-over thrillers, and insane fan rivalries, IPL betting is a favorite for Indian punters.
Football may have taken a backseat to cricket, but the Indian Super League (ISL) is rapidly changing that. Since its launch in 2014, ISL has been attracting international footballers, developing homegrown talent, and pushing Indian football into the spotlight.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Format | League + Playoffs |
| Number of Teams | 12 |
| Most Successful Team | ATK Mohun Bagan (3 titles) |
| Top Scorer (All-Time) | Bartholomew Ogbeche |
| Biggest Rivalry | Kerala Blasters vs. Bengaluru FC |
Betting on ISL is growing fast, with options like match winners, goal totals, and player goalscorer bets. If you're into football betting, this is the league to watch.
Kabaddi has been played in Indian villages for centuries, but the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) turned it into a prime-time spectacle. Launched in 2014, PKL mixes raw strength, strategy, and lightning-fast raids, making it one of India’s most entertaining sports leagues.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Format | League + Playoffs |
| Number of Teams | 12 |
| Most Successful Team | Patna Pirates (3 titles) |
| Most Points (All-Time) | Pardeep Narwal |
| Most Raids in a Season | Pawan Sehrawat |
PKL betting is unique, offering markets on successful raids, tackle points, and even super tackles. If you like high-speed, full-contact action, kabaddi betting is a must-try.
Field hockey gave India eight Olympic gold medals, but cricket’s rise overshadowed the sport. The Hockey India League (HIL) was introduced in 2013 to bring back the glory days, featuring fast-paced, skill-heavy matches.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 |
| Format | Franchise-based |
| Number of Teams | 6 |
| Most Successful Team | Ranchi Rhinos |
| Top Scorer | Sandeep Singh |
Though currently inactive since 2017, hockey betting remains popular during international events, especially in Olympics and World Cup matches.
Before the IPL’s glamour, before T20 cricket, the Ranji Trophy was the real deal. Launched in 1934, it remains India’s top domestic red-ball cricket tournament, producing legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1934 |
| Format | First-Class Cricket |
| Number of Teams | 38 |
| Most Titles | Mumbai (41 titles) |
| Highest Run-Scorer | Wasim Jaffer |
Ranji Trophy betting is perfect for cricket purists who enjoy longer formats, detailed player analysis, and test-style strategies.
India has produced some of the world’s most legendary athletes, dominating cricket, football, kabaddi, and badminton. These players have not only set records but have also inspired millions. Here’s a look at India’s most iconic sports stars and their impact on the game.
Arguably the greatest batsman in history, Sachin Tendulkar carried Indian cricket on his shoulders for over two decades. With 100 international centuries, he remains the highest run-scorer in both Test and ODI cricket.
| Achievements | Records |
|---|---|
| 100 International Centuries | Most by any batsman |
| 34,357 Runs | Highest in international cricket |
| 200 Tests Played | Most by an Indian player |
| 2011 World Cup Winner | India’s biggest cricket moment |
With aggression, consistency, and unmatched fitness, Virat Kohli is India’s best all-format batsman of this generation. His chasing ability in ODIs has earned him the title of “Run Machine”.
| Achievements | Records |
|---|---|
| 80+ International Centuries | Chasing master |
| Fastest to 8,000, 9,000, 10,000 ODI runs | Beating Tendulkar’s records |
| 2011 & 2023 World Cup Finalist | Carried India’s hopes |
| IPL King | Most runs in IPL history |
No one handles pressure like MS Dhoni. He led India to three ICC trophies, including the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy.
| Achievements | Records |
|---|---|
| First Captain to Win All 3 ICC Trophies | A historic feat |
| 2011 World Cup Winning Six | An unforgettable moment |
| One of the Best Finishers in Cricket | Known for calmness under pressure |
| Over 10,000 ODI Runs as Wicketkeeper | Elite club |
India’s greatest footballer, Sunil Chhetri, is among the world’s top international goal scorers, surpassing even Lionel Messi at one point. His leadership has lifted Indian football to new heights.
| Achievements | Records |
|---|---|
| Most Goals for India (90+ goals) | Highest among active players after Ronaldo |
| 7 SAFF Championships | India’s main man in international tournaments |
| AIFF Player of the Year (7 Times) | Most by any Indian footballer |
| ISL Champion | Leading Bengaluru FC to glory |
Before Chhetri, Bhaichung Bhutia was the face of Indian football. He played for clubs abroad and helped football gain popularity in India.
| Achievements | Records |
|---|---|
| First Indian to Play in a European League | Pioneering Indian football abroad |
| 3-Time Indian Player of the Year | Footballing excellence |
| Scored in 1997 Federation Cup Final | Iconic goal for East Bengal |
A Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) champion and former India captain, Anup Kumar was known for his cool-headed approach and game awareness.
| Achievements | Records |
|---|---|
| 2016 Kabaddi World Cup Winner | Led India to glory |
| PKL Champion with U Mumba | Key figure in early PKL years |
| Best Known for Toe Touch | Signature move that outsmarted defenders |
No one dominates kabaddi like Pardeep Narwal. His "Dubki" move is feared by defenders, and his most points in PKL history make him a true kabaddi legend.
| Achievements | Records |
|---|---|
| Most Points in PKL History | Over 1400 points and counting |
| 3-Time PKL Champion with Patna Pirates | League’s most decorated player |
| Single-Match Record of 34 Points | A kabaddi masterclass |
A true global star, PV Sindhu became India’s first female athlete to win two Olympic medals and has dominated world badminton.
| Achievements | Records |
|---|---|
| 2016 Olympic Silver Medalist | India’s first badminton silver |
| 2020 Olympic Bronze Medalist | Only Indian woman with two Olympic medals |
| 2019 BWF World Champion | India’s first-ever world champion |
| Multiple Super Series Titles | Regular winner on the global stage |
Before Sindhu, Saina Nehwal put Indian badminton on the world map. She was the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in badminton.
| Achievements | Records |
|---|---|
| 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist | India’s first-ever badminton Olympic medal |
| Former World No. 1 | First Indian woman to reach the top |
| Commonwealth Games Gold (2010, 2018) | Champion of the multi-sport event |
| Super Series Titles Across the World | A pioneer for Indian badminton |
