Despite initial confirmations, some teams such as Canada and Pakistan could not attend due to administrative issues. The format remained consistent with group stages, semi-finals, and a final match to determine the champion. Matches followed a fast-paced seven-a-side format, with turns lasting seven minutes each. India emerged as the top-performing nation across both segments of the competition. With a balanced mix of experience and youth, strong leadership, and a focus on teamwork and fitness, they can aim for a successful campaign and win first Men’s kho-kho world cup title. Key roles include active chasers, who initiate tags and maintain direction, sitting teammates, ready to receive the KHO signal, and defenders, who use agility to avoid contact.
India showcased their dominance throughout the tournament, beginning with convincing victories over Brazil, Peru, and Bhutan in the group stages. Their momentum continued through the knockout rounds, where they outclassed Bangladesh in the quarterfinals before overcoming a strong South African side in the semifinals. But the defenders, once again led by Pratik Waikar and this time Sachin Bhargo — fondly known as Chingari — proved too strong. Mehul and Suman Barman were equally impressive, and this sealed a much-deserved trophy for Team India as the score read at the end of the final. Captain Pratik Waikar shone on the mat with multiple sky-dives and with the support of Ramji Kashyap, another star of the tournament. Aditya Ganpule was also at his finest, and the team’s collective effort took the score to entering the final turn of the match — and the tournament.
Excellence takes center stage at the 52nd State Junior Boys & Girls Kho Kho Championship
Known for its speed, agility, and strategic movement, Kho Kho demands precise coordination among all participants. To understand how the game functions at the competitive level, it is essential to examine the team size, player structure, and official rules outlined by the governing authorities. 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.
Rutuja Lad and Ashwini Patil have also been selected for the Kho Kho World cup 2025, whose skill and strength have taken them to this level. Rupali is known for her agility and Prachi for her accuracy, who is capable of surprising the opposing team. Mamta Kadam and Anuja Jadhav have also made it to the team with their hard work and boost team India performance.
Female Representation in the Ultimate Kho Kho League & World Cup
- A good captain remains composed, reads the match flow, and motivates the team under pressure.
- The captaincy of Priyanka not only ensured technical execution but boosted morale, which reflected in the undefeated record of India.
- Captain Pratik Waikar shone on the mat with multiple sky-dives and with the support of Ramji Kashyap, another star of the tournament.
- Through structured guidance, these federations have successfully brought Kho Kho to new audiences and elevated its standing in the international sporting landscape.
- The Indian women’s team emerged champion in the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup with a dominant victory in the summit clash against Nepal here on Sunday.
- Kho Kho in India features well-established male and female squads at both domestic and international levels.
How many teams usually in a Kho Kho match remains consistent in official tournaments, including international events such as the World Cup. Ramji consistently topped the attacking charts and demonstrated top-tier defensive performance, which earned him multiple player-of-the-match awards throughout the tournament. Under his guidance, the team remained unbeaten and showed a structured and confident approach in every stage—from group matches to the final. How many players in Kho Kho is a question that often arises among those exploring traditional Indian team sports.
His extensive background and proven success make him an invaluable asset as the team pursues their championship ambitions. Popular team names in leagues include Chennai Quick Guns, Mumbai Khiladis, Odisha Juggernauts, and Telugu Yoddhas, each reflecting regional pride and strategic branding. The unbridled pace and stamina of India would overpower Nepal, as the hosts ended the final Turn with a scoreline of to bring their unbeaten campaign to an end, claiming the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup. There would be no stopping the Indians, who would continue to dominate on the attacking front, notching up a strong 26-0 lead by the end of Turn 1, an improvement on their initial encounter at the beginning of the tournament. Seven attackers take the field per turn, while defenders rotate in batches of three or four during their respective innings. Komal’s speed and Pooja’s skill can prove to be challenging for the opposing teams.
Team India squad for upcoming Kho Kho World Cup 2025 released
Each squad is carefully organized to include active chasers, defenders, and reserves, ensuring maximum performance on the India national kho kho squad 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. 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. Kho Kho in India features well-established male and female squads at both domestic and international levels.
A good captain remains composed, reads the match flow, and motivates the team under pressure. The two teams touted as the favourites inevitably came knocking on each other’s doors one last time, in a rematch of the tournament opener. Ramji Kashyap leads the squad of men, while Priyanka Ingle serves as captain of the team of of women during the 2025 season. Ashwani Kumar Sharma who has been named the Head Coach on the other hand brings a wealth of experience for the Men’s team, having dedicated over five decades to the sport. His impressive track record includes leading the Indian Men’s team to Gold at the 2019 South Asian Games and securing victory with the Odisha Juggernauts in season 1 of UKK. Recognition for his coaching prowess came earlier when he was named Delhi’s best coach in 2014.
Teams Participating Under the Asian Kho Kho Federation & International Kho Kho Federation
Apart from government job opportunities, the sport has brought recognition and fame to many athletes, inspiring the youth to take it up with renewed passion. The awards and grants federation confers, such as the Ekalavya Award, Rani Laxmibai Award, Janaki Award, Abhimanyu Award, Ila Awards, & Bharat Award, have served as a powerful source of inspiration for athletes. These are in addition to the prestigious national honors like the Arjuna Award, Khel Ratna, and Dronacharya Award instituted by the Government.
Attacking vs Defending Roles
Everyone’s eyes are fixed on this team to see how these players will bring glory to the country with their talent and hard work. They manage match rhythm, rotate players strategically, and ensure the team adapts to dynamic play conditions. The captain initiates defensive setups, controls the transition between turns, and makes tactical changes based on the opposing approach of the team. 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.
International fixtures feature country-based squads, while leagues follow a commercial and regional approach. The identity of each squad in competitive Kho Kho is closely tied to how it is named and presented visually. Team names and jerseys serve a larger purpose than just distinguishing players on the field—they represent culture, strategy, and allegiance.
Each Kho Kho team includes 12 players—9 active participants and 3 substitutes—ensuring flexibility and balance during match play and team rotations. Female athletes demonstrated that they match their male counterparts in strategy, athleticism, and performance. As recognition grows, greater representation in future leagues is expected, paving the way for full inclusion in domestic and international Kho Kho circuits.
This team looks fit and fine as it has perfect blend of experience and youthful energy. With this enthusiasm, the Women’s kho kho team is all set to represent India in the first ever KhoKho World Cup 2025. Every player of the team is an expert in his/her respective field and everyone has the passion to bring glory to the country. The Men in Blue dominated the final against Nepal with a stellar victory, led by outstanding performances from captain Pratik Waikar and tournament standout Ramji Kashyap.
Kho Kho is played in separate formats for men and women, with rules and team sizes remaining consistent across both. The Indian women Kho Kho team demonstrated the strength of this format during the 2025 World Cup, going undefeated and winning all their matches. Athletes who excel in these capacities stand out through measurable performance indicators—total points, dive efficiency, defensive duration, and tactical decision-making. Figures such as Ramji Kashyap and Priyanka Ingle not only demonstrated superior skill and upheld leadership responsibilities at the highest level. Their presence in the unbeaten run of India highlighted the synergy between strategy, regulation, and individual excellence that defines modern competitive Kho Kho. Understanding the Kho Kho game players arrangement helps clarify how each individual contributes.
Nepal though would recover a bit of ground on their next go around, with defender Rajan Bal weathering the blistering Indian attackers for around two minutes before they were run all out. Nepal won the toss and opted to defend first, in a similar fashion to the Nepal Women’s team from earlier on in the evening, giving India the chance to strike right out the gate. Pratik Waikar and co. edged out the wily Nepal Men’s team in their initial bout of the tournament with a scoreline of 42-37. Each role is vital, as any movement error or miscommunication can result in a foul, loss of scoring opportunities, or defensive lapses. Each participant must perform a role that complements the overall strategy of the team.
- A brisk start marked Turn 1 as the Indian attackers took charge of the proceedings.
- Rooted in speed, strategy, and agility, this discipline has evolved significantly, especially with the advent of international competitions and league formats.
- This structure ensures that the game remains balanced, fast-paced, and strategically engaging.
- Kho Kho, a sport which resonates with every Bharatwasi, is today popular worldwide and stands at par with any other competitive sport.
- Apart from government job opportunities, the sport has brought recognition and fame to many athletes, inspiring the youth to take it up with renewed passion.
The active chaser pursues opponents within strict movement rules, while defenders try to evade tags using timing and court awareness. The flow of the game depends on quick decisions and the efficient use of space, particularly within designated zones such as the central lane and free zone. Munni Joon will serve as head coach for the women’s Kho Kho team at the World Cup 2025 and all matches will be played under her guidance from January 14 to January 19. The 2025 Indian team was led by experienced captains who managed match strategy and player coordination, contributing to their unbeaten World Cup campaign.