Himachal Shines on the World Stage: Five Women Kabaddi Players Bring Home the 2025 World Cup

Five women Kabaddi players from Himachal Pradesh have made history by being part of the Indian Kabaddi team that won the 2025 Kabaddi World Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on November 23. Their remarkable achievement has brought immense pride to the state.

Among the star players, Ritu Negi and Pushpa Rana, both from the Shilai region of Sirmaur district, played crucial roles in leading the team. Ritu Negi, the captain of the Indian squad, and Pushpa Rana, the vice-captain, showcased exceptional leadership throughout the tournament. Though Ritu was unable to play in the final match due to an injury, her leadership and strategic guidance were instrumental in the team’s victory.

Joining them were three other players from Himachal: Sakshi Verma from Sirmaur, Champa Thakur from Chamba, and Bhawana Thakur from Mandi. Their collective effort helped the Indian women’s team secure their second consecutive Kabaddi World Cup title with a 35-28 win over Chinese Taipei.

This victory marks a proud moment not just for the players, but for the entire state of Himachal Pradesh. The Indian women’s Kabaddi team had previously won the World Cup in 2012 in Patna, and this title further cements India’s dominance in the sport.

Himachal’s success on the world stage doesn’t stop here. Just weeks before this triumph, Renuka Thakur from Rohru was also part of the Indian Women’s Cricket team that won the T-20 World Cup in Mumbai, making November a particularly special month for the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu have all congratulated the Indian women’s Kabaddi team for their remarkable victory. The achievement has undoubtedly made Himachal Pradesh a proud contributor to Indian sports on the global stage.