The digital arena: How India’s Esports boom is creating a new breed of athletes

In September 2025, India’s sporting identity is no longer defined only by cricket, badminton, or wrestling. A new generation of athletes are rising - one whose battlegrounds are digital, whose reflexes are honed not in stadiums but in gaming houses, and whose determination is tested not by physical endurance but by mental agility, focus, and tactical brilliance.

Esports in India has grown from a niche hobby to a cultural force.

It is no longer restricted to bedrooms or internet cafes and instead, competitive gaming has become a mainstream pursuit, watched on primetime television, streamed on millions of mobile phones, and celebrated in newspapers.

For the first time, a serious question is being asked: can India one day win Olympic medals not just in wrestling or hockey, but in Esports?

From hobby to sporting identity

Barely a decade ago, gaming was dismissed in most Indian households as an idle distraction.

Today, over 590 million Indians play video games regularly, making India one of the largest gaming populations in the world. Within that massive audience, Esports - a smaller but rapidly growing subset focused on organized competitive gaming - has become a professional pursuit.

Forces fueling this transformation

Affordable internet data made online play and streaming widely accessible.

Affordable smartphones turned titles like BGMI, Free Fire, and Call of Duty: Mobile into national phenomena.

Mainstream visibility - from the BGMI Masters Series being broadcast on television to wide media coverage, Esports emerged from the shadows.

This cultural shift is profound and Esports is no longer seen as a pastime for the young; it is becoming a pillar of India’s new-age sporting identity.

Government recognition & policy shifts

The most decisive boost came with official recognition. In late 2022, the Government of India categorized Esports as part of “multi-sport events”, formally distinguishing it from casual gaming and online gambling.

This recognition was deepened in 2025 with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, which created legal clarity between professional esports and betting apps.

Just as important, the Sports Ministry expanded its cash reward program to include Esports medal winners, ensuring that champions in digital arenas now stand on the same podium as Olympic wrestlers or boxers.

For India’s young players, this was a signal: Esports is not just play - it is a viable, government-backed career path.

India on the global stage

Recognition has already borne fruit. In August 2025, Ved “Beelzeboy” Bamb, a 21-year-old from Nagpur, stunned the world by becoming India’s first Esports world champion at the Pokémon GO World Championship in Anaheim, California.

His victory was splashed across national media, cementing his place as a trailblazer for Indian esports.

Other achievements followed. India won silver in Tekken 8 at the BRICS Esports Championship and bronze in eFootball at the Asian Esports Games. These victories, though modest, challenge the stereotype that India cannot produce world-class gaming talent.

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Professional ecosystems: Teams, leagues & athletes

Behind these success stories is a growing ecosystem of teams, leagues, and support systems.

Leading organizations like S8UL, GodLike Esports, and Global Esports now operate much like professional cricket franchises, complete with coaches, analysts, nutritionists, and psychologists.

State-of-the-art training houses have sprung up in cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru, where players practice for hours daily on high-end rigs. For stars like Jonathan Amaral (Jonathan Gaming), who rose from BGMI streaming to professional competition, this ecosystem has transformed careers—bringing sponsorships from brands like Red Bull and enabling financial independence.

Tournaments like the WAVES Esports Championship 2025, supported by state and central governments, have also elevated the stage for India’s players. These events attract international attention while legitimizing Esports domestically.

Olympic dreams

Globally, Esports is inching closer to the Olympic stage. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has hosted Olympic Esports Week and is preparing for the first Olympic Esports Games, now expected in 2027.

India has already made its mark on multi-sport stages. At the 2018 Asian Games, Tirth “gcttirth” Mehta won a bronze medal in Hearthstone when esports appeared as a demonstration event, giving India its first recognition in an Olympics-style setting.

When Esports debuted as a medal sport at the 2022 Asian Games, India fielded squads in titles like DOTA 2 and Street Fighter V—though no medals were won, competing in national colors laid the foundation for future podium finishes.

With rising talent and structured support, Indian gamers are poised to make their mark on the global stage, aiming for international championships and prestigious podium finishes in the years ahead.

The symbolism is striking: a nation historically celebrated for cricket and wrestling now producing world-class esports athletes

Challenges along the path ahead

Despite the momentum, the road is not free of obstacles.

Regulation vs. growth: While the government supports Esports, broader crackdowns on online real-money gaming have sometimes hurt the industry, causing confusion and even layoffs at companies like MPL. Policy clarity remains essential.

Monetization: Unlike cricket, which thrives on ticket sales and merchandising, esports revenue relies heavily on sponsorships and streaming. Monetizing India’s massive but price-sensitive audience is still a challenge.

Perception: Many parents, educators, and even policymakers remain skeptical of esports as a legitimate career. Overcoming this cultural bias will require sustained success stories, government endorsement, and grassroots education.

The road ahead: Toward a new sporting identity

Despite hurdles, the trajectory is clear. India’s esports industry has professional infrastructure, global victories, and government recognition in its corner. For young gamers, the pathway from casual play to professional competition is now visible and achievable.

If Beelzeboy’s triumph is any indication, India’s next sporting icons may not emerge from cricket pitches or wrestling mats, but from the glow of gaming arenas - where strategy, reflexes, and mental fortitude define the athlete.

India’s Esports boom is rewriting the very definition of sport.

What began as a subculture is now a mainstream movement, producing champions who carry the nation’s flag onto global podiums. With Olympic inclusion on the horizon, the rise of digital athletes marks not just a transformation of gaming, but a reimagining of what it means to compete, represent, and win for India.

The future of sport may well be digital - and India is racing to the frontlines.