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.

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 kho kho team list 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.

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.

• Attackers must follow strict movement rules, such as not crossing the central lane without using the poles or giving a proper kho.
• The top two teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals of the competition.
• Two teams compete, each made up of 12 active participants and additional reserves.
• Kho Kho Federation of India has taken the lead in transforming the traditional team chase contest into a structured national-level competition.
• These bodies collaborate with national units to streamline the evolution of the sport across countries.
• Known for its speed, agility, and strategic movement, Kho Kho demands precise coordination among all participants.

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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.

The Kho Kho world cup India team delivered an outstanding performance in the 2025 tournament, finishing unbeaten and securing both titles of men and women. Each match featured a combination of experienced players and emerging talent, showcasing the depth of national training programs. The team structure followed international standards with 12 players active and strategic substitutions applied throughout each turn. The list of Kho Kho team members included specialists in attacking, defending, and all-round roles. Understanding the structure of player participation and on-field roles is fundamental to appreciating how professional Kho Kho is organised.

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.

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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.

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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.

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Known for his tactical awareness and exceptional skill as an all-rounder, he led the squad of men with authority and composure. His ability to perform under pressure was evident in the final, where India defeated Nepal 54–36. If a team has a lead of 6 or 8 points in the first innings, they can enforce a «follow-on» on the opposing team. The team trailing must chase first in the second innings, and the team enforcing the follow-on can take their chasing turn last if the deficit is erased. The winning captain raises their hand and points their finger either towards the central line (for chasing) or the sidelines (for defending). The World Cup in Kho Kho is taking a huge stride towards globalization with 39 teams from all over the world participating in it.

Kho Kho as a National Game of India

• Both categories of men and women featured round-robin play followed by knockout rounds.
• The launch of the 2026 World Cup of Kho Kho in New Delhi marked a major step in bringing global recognition to the traditional Indian sport.
• Under the guidance of mentor Ashwani Kumar, team Indian will play all matches of this tournament.
• Female athletes demonstrated that they match their male counterparts in strategy, athleticism, and performance.
• Over the last decade, under the patronage of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), the sport has taken a significant leap in terms of its presence both domestically and internationally.
• Below, we have collected all the information you need to know about the tournament in one place.

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 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.

A proud moment for Indian Kho Kho on the global stage

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.

The batch of three for each group of defenders and the sequence in which each batch enters needs to remain the same during a turn. Kho Kho was also demonstrated during the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi and the first-ever Asian Championship was held in Kolkata in 1996. Kho Kho, a sport which resonates with every Bharatwasi, is today popular worldwide and stands at par with any other competitive sport. These bodies collaborate with national units to streamline the evolution of the sport across countries. India topped both divisions, reaffirming its depth in talent and training infrastructure.

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).