Cricket dominates the sporting landscape, essentially functioning as a second religion, but India also has rich histories in numerous other disciplines.
* **Cricket:** The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is a global powerhouse. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most-watched and lucrative sports leagues in the world. * **Field Hockey:** India has a historically dominant legacy, holding numerous Olympic gold medals. * **Indigenous Sports:** Kabaddi is massively popular, supported by the televised Pro Kabaddi League. Kho-Kho is also widely played. * **Other Sports:** Badminton, wrestling, shooting, boxing, and chess (India is the historical birthplace of chess) enjoy widespread popularity. Track and field has surged in popularity recently, led by Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra.