It had participation from 39 teams from 23 nations across all 6 continents, with over 800 participants. India will host the 2025 tournament, with all matches scheduled at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi under the supervision of the national and international federations. These elements define the fast-paced structure of matches and require strategy, speed, and anticipation. Both categories of men and women featured round-robin play followed by knockout rounds.
With the introduction of time-bound innings, powerplays, and dynamic play areas, it now appeals to diverse audiences, while retaining its cultural roots. More than just a heritage sport, it has become an active medium for youth engagement and bilateral cooperation. In recent years, the traditional Indian chasing discipline has expanded beyond national borders, gaining structure and recognition through formal international federations. The India Kho Kho team demonstrated this structure effectively during the 2025 World Cup, maintaining strong coordination and consistent performance throughout. The match format ensures fair play and highlights the physical and tactical demands of the sport at a competitive level.
Teams Participating Under the Asian Kho Kho Federation & International Kho Kho Federation
India is the origin country, where it began as a rural chasing activity and later developed into a regulated sport with leagues and world-level tournaments. The first world cup served as a blueprint for future editions and reinforced the role of India as both the cultural origin and global promoter of the discipline. The success of tournament prompted immediate follow-up initiatives, including the edition in New Delhi, which further expanded participation and visibility. This combination of tradition, professionalism, and innovation ensures that the edition stands as a benchmark in the history of agility-based international sports.
How India’s women Kho Kho World Cup Champions are redefining the game
- The matches are played on a modified 22×16 metre mat with dynamic rules to speed up gameplay, such as powerplays, dual wazirs, and reduced turn durations.
- The tournament is held in the national capital, offering high-end facilities and easy accessibility for international delegations and viewers.
- Only 12 take the field during a match—7 attackers and 5 defenders—while others serve as substitutes.
- These are in addition to the prestigious national honors like the Arjuna Award, Khel Ratna, and Dronacharya Award instituted by the Government.
- Known for his tactical awareness and exceptional skill as an all-rounder, he led the squad of men with authority and composure.
The India Kho Kho world cup features multiple regional and representative sides from across the country, reflecting the widespread appeal and talent pool of the sport. These teams compete under the national banner but retain their unique regional identities, helping promote local pride on an international platform. As competitive chase events gain more visibility, several digital services have started offering structured options for predictions. These platforms provide live odds, match updates, multilingual support, and seamless payment methods in INR. Below are five trusted names recognised for their reliability, wide market selection, and promotional benefits tailored to Indian users.
Schedule & Date of Kho Kho World Cup
Held in New Delhi, the event brought together the squads of 20 men and 19 women using a dynamic seven-a-side format. This version introduced powerplays, time-bound innings, and point-based scoring, presenting a modern take on the traditional chasing contest for an international audience. The 2025 edition of the Kho Kho World Cup marked a milestone for the sport, bringing together a strong lineup of national teams across continents. The tournament was held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, showcasing high-performance squads in both categories of men and women. While many teams were participating for the first time, the matches reflected competitive spirit and tactical discipline. Group stage fixtures were structured to allow balanced matchups, leading into intense knockout rounds.
- Member nations include several from South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
- The Indian Kho Kho team captain plays a central role in guiding the on-field decisions and maintaining morale of the squad.
- Defenders, in contrast, can use the entire field but must avoid stepping outside the boundary, which would result in dismissal.
- Under his guidance, the team remained unbeaten and showed a structured and confident approach in every stage—from group matches to the final.
- India is the origin country, where it began as a rural chasing activity and later developed into a regulated sport with leagues and world-level tournaments.
Each squad is carefully organized to include active chasers, defenders, and reserves, ensuring maximum performance on the field. The growth of global events has led to standardised formats, attracting athletes from around the world and offering them a platform to demonstrate their physical and tactical excellence. The future of this traditional Indian pursuit looks increasingly promising both within the country and globally. With structured leagues, youth academies, and digital broadcasts now in place, the game is transitioning into a modern, commercially viable discipline.
India dominated the event, winning all their matches and securing both titles. Recognizing the roles within this structure helps coaches plan tactics and athletes deliver their best. Chasers must adhere to directional and receding rules, while defenders rely on positioning and timing to avoid being tagged. The Kho Kho players in a team work together with precision, often deciding the outcome within narrow margins of time and movement. In such a dynamic environment, team synergy and a clear understanding of duties become the cornerstone of success in national and international arenas.
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The two top teams of each group, along with the two best-performing third-placed teams, will qualify for the quarterfinals. Two yellow cards accumulated in different matches of a tournament will force the player to miss the next match. A direct red card, meanwhile, results in suspension from the ongoing match and the next match of the tournament. Generally, Khos are given when a defender crosses over to the other end of the central lane, so tagging in a chaser facing that direction of the court is always the norm. Tags or Khos to chasing team-mates are generally made on the back, between the shoulder and waist. However, they can tag one of their fellow inactive chasers while uttering the word ‘Kho’ to hand over the chase to them.
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Here we provide information about sports played around the world such as old, childhood games and recently played bat-ball or ball games. The aim kho kho team list of the blog is to provide accurate and interesting information to sports lovers and in this our experienced writers keep you updated with every important news of the sports world. The players of Team India for Kho Kho world cup tournament are well experienced and skilled. In addition to this, the head coach of the men’s Kho Kho team for the World Cup 2025 will be Ashwani Kumar. Under the guidance of mentor Ashwani Kumar, team Indian will play all matches of this tournament.
The captain initiates defensive setups, controls the transition between turns, and makes tactical changes based on the opposing approach of the team. Supporting the captain are seasoned players who understand momentum, timing, and opponent patterns. In 2025, both teams benefited from experienced leadership and a deep talent pool, delivering an unbeaten campaign in the World Cup. Each squad consists of 15 members—12 eligible to play in a match, and 3 designated as substitutes. Roles are divided into attackers and defenders, with a rotation system that ensures fair play over four turns. Kho Kho is played in separate formats for men and women, with rules and team sizes remaining consistent across both.
Each affiliated team is recognised officially for international events, including the World Cup and invitational series. Their role is vital in promoting talent, developing infrastructure, and facilitating cross-border competitions. Kho Kho in India features well-established male and female squads at both domestic and international levels. Each team adheres to the same gameplay structure, but there are distinctions in visibility, league presence, and historical representation. The rise of the participation of women has been particularly noticeable in recent years, culminating in major international victories. The Kho-Kho players number directly influences the pace and tactical complexity of the match.
Kerala men and Karnataka women won the 31st Senior South Zone Kho Kho Championship 2025
Kho Kho betting refers to the process of placing wagers on outcomes related to professional matches. These activities are often facilitated through regulated online portals that track live scores and provide dynamic odds. Kho Kho sports in India has witnessed rapid growth and renewed interest across demographics. The reach of the sport now extends beyond its historical roots, supported by digital platforms and organised tournaments. Effective communication is essential, with the captain acting as the link between the coach and team during matches. In high-stakes matches like the World Cup final, quick decisions by the captain can directly impact outcomes.
Selection is based on league performance, fitness trials, skill assessments, and recommendations from national coaches and state-level associations. Ramji Kashyap leads the squad of men, while Priyanka Ingle serves as captain of the team of of women during the 2025 season. Through consistent leadership and skilled execution, the captains in India in 2025 elevated the status of the country in global Kho Kho. Their contributions went beyond national pride—they set standards for leadership that will shape future generations. Her decision-making under pressure, command over team formations, and consistent on-field presence made her one of the most dependable figures during the tournament. The captaincy of Priyanka not only ensured technical execution but boosted morale, which reflected in the undefeated record of India.
Always set a limit and avoid the urge to recover losses through impulsive bets. Select platforms that provide user safety features, including self-exclusion tools and deposit caps. Responsible behaviour helps keep the activity enjoyable and prevents long-term financial or emotional impact. Yes, India has a dedicated Kho Kho team of women, which won the 2025 World Cup with an undefeated record and exceptional overall performance. India will host the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup, starting on Monday (January 13) and the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The tournament will run for the entire week with the final on Sunday (January 19).
