India continued their dominant run in the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 with a resounding 71-34 victory over Bhutan at the IG Indoor Stadium on Thursday. This win secures India’s top position in Group A and guarantees a spot in the quarter-finals.
Speaking after the match, India’s head coach, Ashwani Kumar Sharma, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to claim the championship.
“India will win the final. We will win. We will try. We will play well and win. While it is the quarterfinal, we cannot underestimate the competition as all the good teams have advanced. When strong teams face each other, anything can happen. However, we are prepared. We will strategize and plan according to each opponent,” Sharma said.
Suyash Gargate, named ‘Player of the Match,’ attributed the team’s success to meticulous preparation and strategy. Reflecting on the tournament, he emphasized the collective effort of the team.
“We are very happy today. Our focus is on taking it one match at a time. In our pool, we aim to clear each stage with proper planning. The captain has assigned specific responsibilities to everyone—defenders focus on defense, attackers on offense, and all-rounders manage both,” Gargate explained.
Highlighting the team’s disciplined training, Gargate added, “We began practicing six months ago, prioritizing diet, protein intake, and overall fitness. This World Cup, being broadcast on TV, is a huge platform. It’s great to see Kho Kho gaining recognition and moving forward like this.”
Despite Bhutan’s loss, their coach, Anup Chakraborty, expressed pride in his team’s efforts and cherished the experience of participating in the World Cup.
“This was my first experience at the World Cup,” Chakraborty shared. “The Bhutanese players performed well. As a coach, I worked with them for two months, spending the first 15 days just explaining the game and the World Cup’s significance. Daily sessions with practicals helped them improve.”
Chakraborty also lauded the organization of the tournament, calling it a landmark event for the sport.
“I’ve seen many football and cricket events, but I’ve never witnessed such an impressive opening. The organizers, media, and caterers have done an outstanding job in making this World Cup memorable. I am confident the closing ceremony will be equally grand,” he added.