The year 2025 presented a starkly contrasting picture for Indian sports, defined by remarkable on-field achievements shadowed by significant business and administrative challenges. While cricket continued its dominance both in terms of performance and commercial clout, the nation made a decisive pivot towards nurturing a broader sporting ecosystem, even as governance failures in certain disciplines cast a long shadow.
Cricket's Dual Narrative: Triumphs and Financial Headwinds
On the field, it was a landmark year for Indian cricket. The national team secured crucial international victories, with the women's team clinching a historic maiden ICC Women's World Cup title. This victory propelled India's sportswomen into an unprecedented spotlight, not just for their performance but also for attracting significant brand deals and media attention. The question remains whether this success will forge a lasting legacy and value for women across all sports in India.
Financially, however, cricket's landscape showed signs of strain. Valuation firm D&P Advisory estimated a decline in the value of both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Women's Premier League (WPL). The business side witnessed turbulence as Diageo entered talks to sell the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise, with potential bidders like vaccine maker Adar Poonawalla showing interest. Media rights also faced uncertainty; JioStar reportedly sought an exit from its ICC media rights agreement, while Dream11 was compelled to terminate its contract as the BCCI's jersey sponsor following a ban on real-money gaming platforms. These concerns around valuations and media rights are set to dominate conversations in 2026, especially with the T20 World Cup commencing in February.
The Broader Sporting Canvas: Hosting Ambitions and Mixed Results
Beyond cricket, India aggressively pursued its ambition as a global sporting host. After successfully organizing a series of international tournaments in 2025, the country won the bid to host the centenary Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad in 2030. This major win is expected to significantly bolster India's campaign to host the 2036 Summer Olympics.
Indian athletes delivered a mixed bag of results in other sports. The nation excelled in para-athletics and boxing, but saw limited success in badminton and tennis. A notable highlight was the historic performance of the badminton duo Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who became the first Indian men's doubles pair to reach the semi-finals of the BWF World Tour finals in China, eventually securing a bronze medal in late December.
Administrative Failures and the Football Crisis
The most glaring administrative failure of the year belonged to the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Its inability to conduct the 2025 Indian Super League (ISL) season stood as a major blot on India's sporting governance. The crisis deepened as several football clubs became defunct due to an inability to pay players and staff, raising serious questions about the financial sustainability and management of the sport. The prognosis for a swift resolution in 2026 appears grim, casting doubt on the AIFF's capacity to restore order and credibility.
In summary, 2025 was a year where Indian sports scaled new heights in achievement and ambition but also confronted profound questions about financial sustainability, gender equity beyond cricket, and administrative competence. The sands have indeed shifted, setting the stage for a critical 2026 where these contrasts will demand resolution.
