Indian sports in 2024: A year of triumphs, milestones, and narrow defeats

2024 was a landmark year for Indian sports, with numerous highs and a few near-misses. This year saw history being written in cricket, athletics, chess, and para-sports.

Several key moments across various events will be etched in the memories of Indian sports fans. Dates like — June 29, July 30, and December 12 — will forever symbolize the nation's sporting achievements.

Cricket World Cup Glory: India's Supremacy

On June 29, 2024, the Indian cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma, achieved what had eluded them for over a decade — the ICC Cricket World Cup.

In a thrilling tournament, India secured their long-awaited T20 World Cup title, ending a run of heartbreaks in the knockout stages of global tournaments. This victory reaffirmed India’s position as the most influential nation in cricket.

Despite this triumph, the year also saw a setback on the Test front.

India's Whitewash Defeat to New Zealand

In contrast to their World Cup success, India’s Test cricket season took a painful turn in November 2024. For the first time in 12 years, India lost a home Test series — a 0-3 whitewash by New Zealand.

The loss was even more striking as New Zealand was without their star player, Kane Williamson.

While the World Cup victory was a significant high, this defeat served as a reminder that India still needs to focus on consistency across all formats.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Retirement

After their historic Cricket World Cup victory, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20 international cricket.

The decision marked the end of an era for two of India’s most iconic cricketers. Their retirement was a moment of reflection for Indian fans, who had witnessed their unmatched contributions to the T20 format over the years.

Ashwin’s Retirement: A Late 2024 Setback

India’s second-highest wicket-taker, Ravichandran Ashwin, announced his retirement from international cricket after the 3rd Test against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar trophy, bringing an end to a remarkable era of spin mastery.

With over 700 international wickets and 6 Test hundreds, Ashwin’s legacy as an all-rounder is firmly etched in cricketing folklore.

India’s Historic Olympic Journey in Paris 2024

India's Olympic campaign in Paris was filled with triumphs and heartbreaks. The nation secured six medals — one silver and five bronze — marking a strong performance.

However, these medals were accompanied by a series of near-misses that kept the nation on the edge of its seat.

Neeraj Chopra’s Silver in Javelin Throw

India’s star athlete, Neeraj Chopra, secured a silver medal in the men’s javelin throw at the 2024 Olympics, solidifying his status as one of India’s greatest sports icons.

This silver followed his gold medal in Tokyo 2020, further establishing his dominance on the global stage and inspiring millions of aspiring athletes.

Men’s Hockey: Second Successive Bronze

India’s men’s hockey team made history by securing a second consecutive bronze medal at the Olympic Games, after a narrow loss to Germany.

The team's resilience was evident as they regrouped to defeat Spain 2-1, marking an incredible achievement for the sport in India.

Manu Bhaker’s Redemption in Shooting

Manu Bhaker became a key highlight of India’s Olympic success, making history by winning multiple medals. After overcoming a tough Tokyo Games, Bhaker clinched the bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, partnering with Sarabjot Singh on July 30.

Her redemption story became one of the most memorable moments in Indian Olympic history.

Wrestling and Other Near-Misses

India’s wrestling contingent, led by Vinesh Phogat, was poised for a gold medal in Paris but was disqualified due to a weight discrepancy, which ended her hopes of a historic win. Other athletes like Lakshya Sen, Mirabai Chanu, and Arjun Babuta came close to medal finishes, with many narrowly missing out on podium finishes.

2024 Paralympics: India's Historic Performance

India’s para-athletes made 2024 a groundbreaking year, bringing home 29 medals, including 7 golds, 9 silvers, and 13 bronzes, marking their most successful Paralympic campaign ever.

This stellar performance saw India finish 18th on the overall medal table, with athletes like Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil, and Mariyappan Thangavelu rising to prominence as national heroes.

Their achievements highlighted the strength and determination of Indian para-athletes, with many setting new records and achieving personal bests on the global stage.

Chess: A Rising Power in the Game of 64 Squares

In December, India continued its dominance in chess with two historic performances. D Gukesh, at just 18, became the youngest-ever FIDE World Chess Champion, surpassing Garry Kasparov's long-held record on December 12.

His victory in Singapore not only established him as a future chess superstar but also marked India’s growing influence in global chess.

Additionally, the Indian chess teams, both men’s and women’s, triumphed at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, winning gold medals. Individually, Koneru Humpy won the Women's Rapid World Championship title in New York, further solidifying India’s chess credentials.

Para-Sports: A Year of Milestones

India's para-sports contingent had a breakthrough year in Paris. With 29 medals, the country finished 18th in the medal standings — its best-ever finish at the Paralympics. Stars like Avani Lekhara and Sumit Antil clinched multiple gold medals, showcasing India’s growing prowess in para-athletics.

Other standout performances came from Mariyappan Thangavelu, Sheetal Devi, Nitesh Kumar, and Praveen Kumar, who added to India's medal tally with inspiring performances.

India’s Success in Other Sports

In addition to Olympic and Paralympic achievements, India also excelled in non-Olympic sports. Rohan Bopanna, at 44, won the Australian Open men's doubles title, marking a new peak in Indian tennis.

Another major achievement was in table tennis, where India secured its first-ever medal at the Asian Table Tennis Championships. The women’s team, featuring Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, and Ayhika Mukherjee, clinched a historic bronze in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Sumit Nagal Breaks into Top 100

In tennis, Sumit Nagal made history by breaking into the ATP Top 100 for the first time in his career. His rise in the rankings marked a significant breakthrough for Indian tennis, signalling the potential for more success on the international stage in the coming years.

The Road Ahead: A Vision for the Future

Looking forward, India’s sporting landscape is brighter than ever. The country has made remarkable strides in cricket, chess, Olympic sports, and para-sports. The next milestone is the 2036 Olympic bid, with the formal intent to host the Games a significant step toward a more structured and global sporting presence.

However, systemic improvements are still needed to support athletes and administrators better. The vision for the future hinges on ensuring that India’s sporting infrastructure evolves to meet the growing demands of its athletes.

Conclusion

2024 has been a transformative year for Indian sports. From cricket to chess, and Olympic to Paralympic achievements, the country has shown that it is poised to become a dominant force in global sports. While challenges remain, India’s athletes continue to push boundaries, with a bright future ahead.