India’s Sporting Triumphs in 2024: From Chess to Cricket, a Year of Champions

At just 18 years old, Gukesh Dommaraju has made history by becoming the youngest chess world champion ever. Defying all expectations and doubts about his age and experience, Gukesh emerged victorious in the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024 and went on to defeat reigning champion Ding Liren in a tense match in Singapore.

Gukesh’s journey to the world championship title was fueled by a dream he had more than 10 years ago, inspired by watching Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen compete in the world championship match in 2013. His triumph not only solidified India’s position in the world of chess but also marked another impressive year for Indian sports.

In tennis, Rohan Bopanna, at the age of 43, became the oldest man in the Open Era to win a major men’s doubles title at the 2024 Australian Open. His victory highlighted the lack of depth in Indian tennis, with Bopanna standing out as the country’s best Grand Slam hope.

The Indian cricket team also had a successful year, winning the 2024 T20 World Cup and bringing home their first world title since the 2011 ODI World Cup triumph. The tournament marked the end of Rahul Dravid’s tenure as coach and possibly the last World Cup appearance for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli together.

While the Tokyo Olympics showcased India’s best-ever performance, the Paris Olympics brought a reality check with only six medals, five of them bronze. Despite some heartbreaks and disappointments, Indian athletes like Neeraj Chopra and the shooting contingent continued to shine on the global stage.

As India looks towards the future, with a new Olympic cycle beginning in 2025, the country will be seeking new heroes to lead the way in sports. The transition period has already begun, with established names making way for the next generation of Indian athletes to make their mark on the world stage.