The Indian Women and the Men’s team clinched the 1st edition of Kho Kho World Cup with a scintillating unbeaten performance throughout the tournament.
The Indian Women’s team claimed the title with a commanding 78-40 against Nepal in the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Stadium.
As the Indian team marched into the arena, the packed stadium erupted with thunderous cheers, setting the stage for an electrifying encounter. Nepal won the toss and opted to defend first, adding an extra layer of anticipation to the match.
The game began with high intensity as Nirmala Wazir led India’s attack. Without wasting any time, Captain Priyanka opened the scoreboard with 2 points, followed by a stunning performance from Wazir, as India dusted the opposing batch in just 50 seconds. Priyanka’s skillful play added multiple touch points, helping India score 34 points and preventing Nepal’s dream run.
India shifted to defense with Priyanka, Chaitra, and Vaishnavi holding strong for 3 minutes and 12 seconds. Chaitra secured the first dream run of Turn 2, but Nepal’s Dipa responded with a key all-out, bringing them back into the game. Despite the effort, Nepal only scored 24 points by the end of Turn 2.
Turn 3 was a masterclass from India, showcasing unmatched speed, agility, and precision. Their swift sky and pole dives cleared batches in under 2 seconds, earning 39 points. Nepal struggled in defense and missed a crucial chance for a dream run.
India proved their dominance in Turn 4 with Priyanka, Chaitra, and Vaishnavi leading the way. Chaitra shone brightly, surviving an incredible 5 minutes and 14 seconds to secure a 5-minute dream run. Her confidence was capable , almost teasing her opponents with a “catch me if you can” attitude. This performance gave India a commanding 78-30 lead, sealing the victory.
As the final whistle blew, the women in blue engraved their names as the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025 champions, marking a historic milestone for India and the sport globally.
Simultaneously, the Indian Men’s Team made history by securing the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup title keeping the prestigious trophy at home. It was Deja vu for Nepal as they once again fell short against India in the tournament. India sealed a commanding 54-36 victory to claim the title.
Nepal won the toss and opted to defense first, in a similar way where Nepal women’s team in the earlier match, giving India an advantage.
The match kicked off with an electrifying intensity, as Ramji launched the first attack, followed by Mehul, who strategically used pole dives to dust the batch in just 1 minute and 23 seconds. Turn 1 showcased the Suyash’s fast running touches, sensational pole outs, and expertly executed khos by Pratik. Ganpule’s sky dives, as swift as a lightning strike, added to the spectacle. India’s relentless pace and tactical brilliance secured a commanding 26 points by the end of Turn1.
Nepal fought hard to score 18 points despite of executing swift kho rallies with precision. Mehul captivated the crowd with his smart dodges, twists, and dancing moves, surviving for an impressive 2 minutes and 44 seconds before narrowly missing out on the dream run by 15 seconds in turn 2.
Turn 3 was nothing short of extraordinary, with Ankit stealing the spotlight with his breath taking sky dives along with the team scoring an astonishing 54 points. However, Rajan from Nepal was too good in defending almost survived for 2mins.
As Captain Pratik had anticipated, India entered Turn 4 with a well-crafted defensive strategy. The turn featured clever kho moves, dazzling dodging skills, zig-zag runs, bluffs, and swift changes in direction. Despite their efforts, Nepal managed to score 18 points. In the end, India emerged victorious with a 54-36 score, securing a hard-fought win over Nepal.
In this World Cup, Kho Kho delivered thrills and excitement in every fleeting moment. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with spine-tingling anxiety and sudden adrenaline rushes, leading to a thrilling finish with unforgettable victories and history-making performances.
