Which of the following is a popular sport?

Sports GK is an important part of the General Knowledge section in SSC CGL, UPSC, Railway NTPC, IBPS, and State PCS exams. Key topics: Olympic Games (host city, medals won by India), FIFA World Cup, Cricket World Cup (ICC events), Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, national sports of countries, sports terminology, trophies and cups, and famous players. Cricket, football, athletics, and badminton are most frequently asked.

Major International Sporting Events: Summer Olympics (every 4 years), Winter Olympics (every 4 years), FIFA World Cup (every 4 years), Cricket World Cup (every 4 years), Commonwealth Games (every 4 years), Asian Games (every 4 years), Grand Slam Tennis (annual - Australian, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open). India hosted Asian Games in 1951 and 1982.

India's National Sport: Hockey (field hockey - unofficial). Neeraj Chopra won gold in Javelin at Tokyo Olympics 2020 (India's first individual Olympic gold in athletics). Abhinav Bindra gold at 2008 Beijing Olympics (shooting). PV Sindhu (badminton silver Tokyo 2020). Mirabai Chanu (weightlifting silver Tokyo 2020). India hosted Cricket World Cup in 1987, 1996, 2011, and 2023.

Indian Sports Awards: Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (highest sporting award, formerly Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, renamed in 2021), Arjuna Award (outstanding performance in sports), Dronacharya Award (coaches), Dhyan Chand Award (lifetime contribution). Major Dhyan Chand is the Hockey wizard. National Sports Day is celebrated on August 29 (Dhyan Chand's birthday).

Important Cricket Facts: India won ICC Cricket World Cups in 1983 and 2011. ICC T20 World Cup 2024 - India won. Sachin Tendulkar has the most ODI runs and centuries. ICC cricket has three formats: Test (5 days), ODI (50 overs), T20 (20 overs). BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) headquarters is in Mumbai. IPL is the Indian Premier League (T20 franchise cricket).