Cricket was introduced in India by British colonizers in the 18th century.

The first recorded cricket match in India was played in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1721.

C.K. Nayudu is widely regarded as the father of Indian cricket for his contributions to the sport in the early 20th century.

Ranjitsinhji scored the first century for India in a Test match against England in 1896.

India gained Test status in cricket in 1932, becoming the sixth country to do so.

Football gained popularity in India after cricket, with the first recorded match taking place in Calcutta in 1854.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) was founded in 1937 to govern football in India.

Bengal won the first Santosh Trophy, the national football championship of India, in 1941.

India participated in its first FIFA World Cup in 1950, held in Brazil.

Hockey was introduced in India by Christian missionaries in the 19th century.

The Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) was established in 1925 to govern hockey in India.

The Indian hockey team won its first Olympic gold medal at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics.

Polo was introduced in India by British military officers in the 19th century.

The Royal Calcutta Golf Club, the oldest golf club in India, was established in 1829.

Tennis was introduced in India by British civil servants in the 19th century.