Not Just Cricket — Chess, Boxing, Squash and Archery Shine For India in 2025

The year 2025 proved to be one of the most successful in Indian sports history, marked by dominant performances across multiple disciplines. From the women's cricket team lifting the ICC Women's World Cup to D. Gukesh becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, India celebrated a remarkable array of achievements on the global stage. The country's athletes and teams consistently broke barriers, won major titles, and delivered unforgettable moments that united the nation in pride.

The standout highlight of the year was the Indian women's cricket team's triumph in the ICC Women's World Cup. Led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the team displayed exceptional consistency and skill throughout the tournament, defeating top teams like Australia in the semi-final and South Africa in the final. Shafali Verma's explosive opening knocks, Jemimah Rodrigues' match-winning century in the semi-final, and the all-round brilliance of players like Deepti Sharma and Smriti Mandhana powered India to their maiden World Cup title in the 50-over format. The victory marked a landmark moment for women's cricket in India and inspired millions of young girls to take up the sport.

Chess emerged as another area of national pride in 2025. D. Gukesh scripted history by defeating Ding Liren to become the youngest-ever World Chess Champion at just 19 years old. His composure, tactical brilliance, and resilience in the high-pressure match showcased India's growing dominance in the sport. Gukesh's achievement built on the foundation laid by Viswanathan Anand and the strong performances of players like R Praggnanandhaa, who continued to excel in elite tournaments.

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In athletics, Neeraj Chopra remained India's flagbearer. The Olympic and World Championship gold medalist added another chapter to his legacy by winning gold at the Asian Athletics Championships and consistently throwing beyond 88 meters in major meets. His consistency and ability to perform under pressure cemented his status as one of India's greatest athletes of all time.

Hockey, boxing, squash, and archery also delivered strong results. The Indian men's hockey team secured a historic bronze at the FIH Hockey World Cup, while the women's team continued its upward trajectory. In boxing, Lovlina Borgohain and others shone in international competitions, and squash players like Saurav Ghosal and Anahat Singh achieved notable rankings and titles. Archery saw the compound team win multiple medals at the World Championships.

On the domestic front, Virat Kohli's continued excellence in the IPL and international cricket, combined with Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) resurgence, kept the spotlight on the sport. The year 2025 will be remembered as a golden chapter in Indian sports, filled with World Cup glory, world titles, and inspiring individual stories that showcased the country's growing global sporting prowess.

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