Maharashtra players Pratik Waikar, Priyanka Ingle to lead Men’s and Women’s teams

The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) and the International Kho Kho Federation (IKKF) announced the final 15 member Indian Men’s and Women’s squads respectively for the upcoming inaugural edition of the Kho Kho World Cup 2025, to be held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi from 13 to 19 January.

Leading the Men’s team will be Pratik Waikar, the Eklavya Award winner who made his debut in the national team way back in 2016. Despite holding degrees in Computer Science and Finance, he pursued Kho Kho professionally, securing a job through the sports quota in  Maharashtra State Electricity Board. He earlier captained Telugu Yoddhas in the Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) League that had ended up as runners-up and also led Maharashtra to Gold in the 56th Senior National Championship 2023-24 in a close contest against Railways 52-50 in three innings after the first two were tied.

"It's a dream come true moment for me. When the officials were making the announcement, I had goosebumps. Having played Kho Kho since the age of eight, I am excited to hear my name being announced as part of the Indian team as captain. This is a huge achievement for me because leading our country at the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup on home soil is the biggest achievement of my career,” said the 32-year-old Pratilk from Pune after the announcement.

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. His extensive background and proven success make him an invaluable asset as the team pursues their championship ambitions.

Priyanka Ingle on the other hand has been selected as the Indian Women’s team captain. Having competed in 23 Nationals over the past 15 years, she has been a mainstay of the Indian squad. Her achievements include the Ila Award (best sub-junior player), Rani Laxmi Bai Award (2022 Senior Nationals), and gold at the 4th Asian Kho Kho Championship 2022-23. An all-rounder with an M. Com degree, she now works at the Income Tax Department in Mumbai while maintaining rigorous training routines.

"It’s an honour to lead the Indian Women’s team in the first World Cup and that too in front of our own die hard home fans. Everyone has shown such great faith in me by trusting me with this responsibility. I aim to fulfill their trust to the best of my abilities and bring home the gold medal for India," said 24-year old Pune based Priyanka Ingle, the captain of the Women’s team.

The team will be coached by Sumit Bhatia, who is an accomplished Kho Kho coach, with national achievements including multiple medals in the Senior National Championships. As Chief Coach of the Women's Team at the 4th Asian Kho Kho Championship 2023, he has secured international victories including Gold medals at the 3rd Asian Championship and 12th South Asian Games, while also serving as an International Referee at global events.

As per KKFI and IKKF, the Team India squads were selected after an intensive training camp at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi from 10 December, 2024. The KKFI Selection Committee, led by President Sudhanshu Mittal and General Secretary MS Tyagi, played a crucial role in the selection of the final 15 for the Men’s and Women’s teams among 60 male and 60 female players who were a part of the camp. They were ably advised by the coaching staff at the Training Camp.

Speaking at the press conference announcing the team, KKFI President Sudhanshu Mittal said, "The selection of our national teams marks a historic moment for Kho Kho, as we prepare to host the first-ever World Cup. With 23 countries participating, this tournament will showcase India's sporting heritage on the global stage. Both our Men's and Women's teams represent the finest talent from across the nation, selected through a rigorous process. Under the leadership of Pratik Waikar and Priyanka Ingle, along with our experienced coaching staff, we are confident of delivering exceptional performances. This World Cup is not just a tournament; it's a testament to Kho Kho's evolution from a traditional Indian sport to an international competitive event, aiming to reach an Olympic level".

MS Tyagi, General Secretary of the KKFI, said. "Our selection process has been meticulous and transparent, ensuring we have the strongest possible teams representing India. With our world-class facilities at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium and the exceptional talent in both our Men's and Women's teams, we are fully prepared to host a landmark tournament that will set new standards for the sport. This World Cup will not only showcase India's organizational capabilities but also help establish Kho Kho as a major international sport".

Team India Men's Squad: 

Pratik Waikar (Captain), Prabani Sabar, Mehul, Sachin Bhargo, Suyash Gargate, Ramji Kashyap, Siva Pothir Reddy, Aditya Ganpule, Gowtham M.K., Nikhil B, Akash Kumar, Subramani V., Suman Barman, Aniket Pote, S. Rokeson Singh 

Standby: Akshay Bangare, Rajvardhan Shankar Patil, Vishwanath Janakiram.

Team India Women's Squad:

Priyanka Ingle (Captain), Ashwini Shinde, Reshma Rathore, Bhilar Devjibhai, Nirmala Bhati, Neeta Devi, Chaithra R., Subhashree Sing, Magai Majhi, Anshu Kumari, Vaishnavi Bajrang, Nasreen Shaikh, Meenu, Monika, Nazia Bibi 

Standby: Sampada More, Ritika Siloriya, Priyanka Bhopi.

About Kho Kho World Cup 2025

With 39 teams (Men and Women) from across 23 countries across the globe competing for glory, this week-long event marks a major milestone in promoting Kho Kho as an internationally recognised sport. The tournament will feature exciting matches in both Men’s and Women’s categories, ensuring action-packed days for all fans.

The Opening Ceremony of the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 will take place on 13 January, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, followed by the opening match between India and Nepal. Star Sports will broadcast the matches on Star Sports 1 HD and Star Sports First, while Doordarshan will ensure nationwide regional coverage. Disney+ Hotstar joins as the OTT broadcast partner, enabling digital streaming access.

Men’s Category: Group Breakdown and Key Matches
The Men’s competition features 20 teams divided into four groups:

• Group A: India, Nepal, Peru, Brazil, Bhutan
• Group B: South Africa, Ghana, Argentina, Netherlands, Iran
• Group C: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Korea, USA, Poland
• Group D: England, Germany, Malaysia, Australia, Kenya

The Men’s matches kick off with India facing Nepal in the mega tournament opener at 8:30 pm IST. The league stage will culminate on 16 January, followed by the playoffs beginning on January 17.
The Men’s final will take place on 19 January at 8:15 pm IST, promising a thrilling conclusion to the championship.

Women’s Category: Group Breakdown and Key Matches
The Women’s competition mirrors the Men’s format, with 19 teams divided into four groups:

• Group A: India, Iran, Malaysia, Republic of Korea (South Korea)
• Group B: England, Australia, Kenya, Uganda, Netherlands
• Group C: Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Germany, Bangladesh
• Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Poland, Peru, Indonesia

England take on Australia in the Women’s opening match on 14 January at 11:45 am IST. For the Indian team, their first match of the tournament is against Republic of Korea (South Korea) on January 14 at 7:00 pm IST.
The group stage concludes on 16 January, paving the way for the playoffs next day onwards. The Women’s final match is scheduled for 19 January at 7:00 pm IST, setting the stage for a spectacular finish to the week-long extravaganza.

Playoff Details and Format
The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will qualify for the quarterfinals. From there, the tournament progresses to the semifinals and finals, ensuring high-stakes competition. Fans can expect nail-biting encounters as teams battle it out for the coveted title.

Photo Above: Players, Coaches and members of support staff of Indian Men’s and Women’s squads pose with the KKFI President Sudhanshu Mittal and its General Secretary MS Tyagi on the eve of the inaugural edition of the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 (Photo courtesy KKFI)