2024 has been an incredible year for Indian sports, with athletes from various fields putting on performances that wowed millions. From groundbreaking wins on the world stage to personal achievements that shattered records, this year highlighted India's rising influence in global sports. Whether it was cricket, athletics, tennis, or chess, Indian sports stars showed their skills, bringing home medals and honors that will be cherished for years to come.

The country celebrated a historic T20 World Cup win, its best-ever showing at the Paralympics, and some remarkable feats in chess, tennis, and athletics. As we reflect on 2024, let’s check out the standout sporting moments that made this year truly special for India.

T20 World Cup win after a 17-year wait

In a thrilling finish that will be remembered for ages, India claimed their second T20 World Cup title after a long 17-year wait. They displayed incredible grit, edging out South Africa by just seven runs in Barbados. Virat Kohli was a standout, scoring a crucial 76 runs as India set a total of 176/7 after batting first.

But it was the Indian bowlers who truly made the difference, with Jasprit Bumrah's steady performance and Hardik Pandya stepping up when it mattered most. Hardik's impressive 3-20 helped keep South Africa to 169/8, even with Heinrich Klaasen smashing a quick 52.

India finally broke their 11-year ICC trophy drought with this victory, and it hit home even more with Kohli and Rohit Sharma stepping away from T20 internationals. Plus, it marked the end of Rahul Dravid's time as head coach, with Gautam Gambhir set to take over.

Throughout the tournament, India was on fire, winning every match. They took down their rivals Pakistan, along with the USA, Ireland, and Canada in the group stage. Then, they went on to beat Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Australia in the Super Eights. In the semi-finals, India cruised past England, keeping their perfect record alive.

India at the Olympics: One silver and five bronze medals

The country bagged six medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, featuring one silver and five bronze. A highlight was Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champ in javelin from Tokyo, who snagged a silver with his best throw of the season at 89.45m, just falling short of gold, which went to Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem.

Manu Bhaker made waves by becoming the first Indian to snag two medals in a single Olympic Games, taking home bronze in both the women’s 10m air pistol and the mixed 10m air pistol events. The Indian men’s hockey team also shone brightly, securing a bronze medal and adding to India’s proud history in the sport.

This bronze medal was a perfect send-off for goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who has been a solid presence in goal for the men’s hockey team for many years. With standout performances from athletes like Swapnil Kusale (Shooting), Aman Sehrawat (Wrestling), and Sarabjot Singh (Shooting), the 2024 Olympics showcased India’s rising profile in the global sports arena.

Avani Lekhara made history at the Paralympics with her best performance ever

Avani Lekhara made waves by becoming the first Indian woman to snag two gold medals at the Paralympics. She not only won the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event but also set a world record, marking her as one of the top Indian athletes in Paralympic history.

The 2024 Games were a game-changer for Indian sports, with the nation achieving its best performance ever. India brought home a total of 29 medals—seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze—blowing past its previous record of 19 medals from the Tokyo 2020 Games.

India also made headlines with a stunning one-two finish in athletics during the men’s club throw F51, where Dharambir and Parnav Soorma took home gold and silver, respectively. Sumit Antil, Mariyappan Thangavelu, and Sheetal Devi also made their mark in history.

Rohan Bopanna's victory at the Australian Open

Bopanna hit a major milestone in 2024 by snagging the men’s doubles title at the Australian Open. At 43 years old, he made history as the oldest player to become World No. 1 in men’s doubles. Teaming up with Australia’s Matthew Ebden, Bopanna took down Italy’s Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori with a score of 7-6(0), 7-5, securing that prestigious Grand Slam title.

Bopanna had been on the verge of a Grand Slam win in men's doubles before but never quite made it. His best moments came when he reached the US Open finals in 2010 and 2023. Winning at the legendary Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne not only made him the oldest player to hit World No. 1 but also showed that age doesn’t hold you back in the world of professional sports.

Gukesh's triumph at the Olympiad and his Chess World Championship victory

India has been on a fantastic journey in the chess world, and it really shone at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest. Both the men’s and women’s teams made history by snagging gold medals in their categories, showcasing India’s stronghold in the sport.

This win was particularly meaningful, especially when you think back to the 2022 Chess Olympiad in Mamallapuram, where India only managed to grab bronze in both events.

Earlier this month, D. Gukesh, an 18-year-old chess whiz, made headlines by becoming the youngest World Chess Champion ever, breaking a long-standing record held by Garry Kasparov. His stunning victory in the 14th round against China’s Ding Liren was a huge milestone, and he’s definitely following in the footsteps of his mentor, Viswanathan Anand.

Indian Women’s Table Tennis squad achieves a historic milestone

The Indian women's table tennis team achieved a historic milestone in 2024 by clinching the country's first medal in the women's team event at the Asian Table Tennis Championships, a feat that hadn't been accomplished since the tournament started in 1972.

While competing in Kazakhstan, the squad, which included Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, Ayhika Mukherjee, Sutirtha Mukherjee, and Diya Chitale, fought hard in the semifinals to secure a bronze medal.

Puja Tomar's win in the UFC

Puja Tomar just made history for Indian mixed martial arts by becoming the first Indian to snag a win in the UFC. The 30-year-old pulled off a tough victory against Brazil’s Rayanne dos Santos in an exciting strawweight match, winning by split decision with scores of 30-27, 27-30, and 29-28. This win is a huge milestone for Indian athletes in the UFC, which is a major platform for combat sports.

Her achievement sends a strong message to the world that Indian fighters can hold their own at the top levels of mixed martial arts. Tomar, who joined the UFC in 2023, dedicated her victory to all her Indian fans and fellow fighters.

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