5 disciplines whose inclusion in Olympics could bring India medals

Overview

• India hasn't enjoyed a great success at the Olympics level, compared to some of its greater achievements in some team sports
• In some disciplines which aren't a part of the Olympics, India has done extremely well
• Kabaddi, Chess, Cricket, Compound Archery, and Kho Kho's inclusions could mean India's better overall performance at the Summer Olympics

India hasn't enjoyed a great success at the Olympics level, compared to some of its greater achievements in some team sports. While India does reasonably well in the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games, the same can't be said about the Olympics. However, the inclusion of some sports could change it.

Also Read: India's three major assignments before the T20 World Cup 2025

5 disciplines whose inclusion in Olympics could bring India medals

Kho Kho

Kho Kho is a sport which has taken leaps in its appeal at the international level. While the Ultimate Kho Kho league was a good catalyst for it, the successful hosting of the inaugural edition of the Kho Kho World Cup in 2024 opens up many opportunities.

Both Men's and Women's teams won the inaugural edition of the Kho Kho World Cup. If Kho Kho picks up the momentum with an increase in its popularity, it could become an Olympic sport and help India to claim medals.

Also Check: India's Men's and Women's team make history by winning first Kho Kho World Cup

Kabaddi

Kabaddi is a sport in which India has nearly no challengers. It's similar to what Basketball is for the USA. However, Kabaddi's global appeal is low compared to major sports in the world. 

Kabaddi is mostly played at the Asian level, as the only major multi-sport event it's a part of, is the Asian Games. But if the sport is promoted well and gains popularity, India might surely be assured of a couple of medals.

Read More: WATCH: Virat Kohli includes MS Dhoni and other cricketers in his Dream Kabaddi 7

Chess 

Chess is the discipline in which India has improved rapidly over the year. After the retirement of Vishwanathan Anand, there was a slight void for a few years, which has been filled with the emergence of new talents.

The likes of Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh Dommaraju, Arjun Erigaisi, Hansika Dronavalli, and others make India a future Chess powerhouse. Since Chess was added at the Asian Games, it could make a case for its Olympic debut in the near future.

Tap Here: Gukesh Dommaraju reveals how MS Dhoni helped him become youngest world chess champion

Cricket

Cricket is the most popular sport in India for nearly four decades or so. India is a cricket powerhouse and will surely be in contention for medals in both team events. The good thing is that Cricket will return at the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.

Th Indian men's team stands a good chance at claiming medals in the upcoming Summer Olympics, given how its T20 team has been over the years. Even the women's team might have a chance to claim a medal, although winning the gold medal would be difficult for them.

Compound Archery

Compound Archery is an event in which India is among the top teams with great individual archers. At the Asian Games 2023, India's Ojas Deotale and Jyothi Surekha swept medals for fun in both individual and team events.

The Compound Archery is set to be a part of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Although the individual events will not be a part of the event, India can eye winning medals in the team events, where they're ranked in top 3 across categories.