Alright, fellow sports enthusiasts and “I-need-a-new-hobby” people—2025 is the year to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Let’s face it, we’re all tired of playing the same old games (looking at you, cricket, football, and badminton). And while we love these classics, why not explore some underrated sports that are totally worth your time? You’ll impress your friends, get fit, and probably have a great laugh along the way.
Let’s dive into the Top 10 Underrated Sports You Need to Try in 2025, and don’t worry, we’ve got a sprinkle of humor to make this a fun read. Ready? Let’s go!
1. Sepak Takraw (Yes, It’s a Thing!)
If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “I wonder what would happen if badminton and football had a baby,” then you need to try Sepak Takraw. This sport is played with a rattan ball, and players use their feet, head, knees, and chest to pass the ball over a net, much like volleyball—except, you know, it’s more acrobatic. Imagine a mix of football and volleyball, but you can’t touch the ball with your hands. Sounds confusing, right? It’s basically the hurdles of team sports.
Pro Tip: Don’t underestimate the difficulty of spiking the ball using only your feet. You’ll end up looking like a confused crab at first, but with practice, you might just feel like a superhero.
Why You Should Try It: It’s an awesome full-body workout, and if you ever wanted to kick something with the intensity of a Bollywood hero, this is your moment.
2. Kabaddi (Not Just for TV Reality Shows)
Ah, Kabaddi—the sport that’s deeply rooted in Indian culture but somehow still doesn’t get enough love outside of TV reality shows. It’s an intense game where one player (the “raider”) enters the opposing team’s side, tries to tag players, and then returns to their side without getting caught. It’s like the world’s most aggressive game of tag. The catch? You can’t breathe in between!
Fun Fact: Kabaddi was invented as a way to train warriors for battle. So if you can survive the game, you can probably survive a traffic jam in Mumbai.
Why You Should Try It: It’s fast, it’s fierce, and it’ll make you realize that you need better lung capacity than you thought. Bonus: It’s an excellent way to get your friends to stop avoiding your calls—they’ll literally be running away from you during the game.
3. Paddleboarding (No, You Don’t Have to Be a Pro)
If you’re tired of the same old beach volleyball and swimming at the beach, then paddleboarding might be what you need in your life. This sport involves standing on a large board and using a paddle to move through the water. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. Try balancing on a wobbly board in the middle of a lake or ocean, and you’ll realize it’s much more of a workout than it seems. (Also, prepare to fall off multiple times, especially if you’re anything like me.)
Pro Tip: If you fall off the board, just pretend you were doing an elegant cannonball. It’s all about how you recover.
Why You Should Try It: It’s great for core strength, and there’s nothing quite like the feeling of standing on water like an Indian Aquaman. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to enjoy nature and get some peace while pretending to be a graceful water goddess.
4. Handball (More Than Just Throwing a Ball)
If you think Handball is just about throwing a ball and hoping it goes in the net, then you’re in for a surprise. It’s fast, it’s furious, and it’ll have your heart racing faster than your crush’s reply to your WhatsApp message. Played on a court similar to a mini football field, handball involves a team of players passing the ball with their hands and shooting goals against the opposing team.
Pro Tip: If you’re a fan of football but hate running, this is the sport for you. It’s just like playing football… but without having to chase after the ball on a giant field.
Why You Should Try It: It’s high-intensity and will get your adrenaline pumping. Plus, it’s the perfect sport for anyone who’s been holding back their inner goalie from those childhood football games.
5. Ultimate Frisbee (Not Just a Casual Beach Activity)
Ultimate Frisbee is not just about tossing a frisbee around in the park. Oh no, my friend, this is a full-fledged team sport with rules and strategies. Two teams of seven try to score by passing the frisbee until it reaches the end zone. The catch? You can’t run while holding the frisbee! Sounds challenging? Well, it is. But it’s also incredibly fun and a great way to work on your hand-eye coordination (and also pretend you’re in a high-energy Bollywood song with all the running and jumping).
Pro Tip: Don’t let the frisbee hit you in the face. It hurts. Trust me, I learned the hard way.
Why You Should Try It: It’s an awesome mix of strategy, cardio, and a dash of crazy. Plus, you’ll look way cooler than anyone throwing a regular frisbee around at the park. (The wind’s always on your side, right?)
6. Futsal (Mini Football with Extra Fun)
Futsal is basically football’s cool little cousin. Played indoors on a smaller court with five players per side, futsal is fast-paced and requires incredible footwork and control. It’s a sport that combines the passion of football with the quick reactions of a video game.
Pro Tip: Don’t let the small court size fool you; the game moves quickly, and you’ll need to keep your head on a swivel. It’s like playing a game of “Who’s Gonna Steal My Ball Next?”
Why You Should Try It: It’s the perfect sport for football lovers who don’t want to run for hours on a big field but still want the same thrills. Plus, it’s indoors—no worrying about the scorching summer sun in India.
7. Bowling (Because You Can’t Go Wrong with Pins)
Bowling is a classic, but surprisingly underrated as a sport for fitness. Not only is it super fun, but it also helps with hand-eye coordination and can be a surprisingly good cardio workout (especially if you’re running after the ball every single time). Bowling alleys are popping up in cities across India, so grab your friends, pick a funky pair of shoes, and try to knock down some pins.
Pro Tip: When in doubt, go for the “bumper lanes.” They don’t judge.
Why You Should Try It: You can impress your friends with your strike (and feel like a champion for a few seconds). It’s a game that’s as much about fun as it is about skill, and if you’re lucky, you might get a strike after every 10th attempt. Either way, it’s a win!
8. Rock Climbing (No, You’re Not Spiderman)
Okay, so maybe you’re not about to swing from the buildings like Spiderman, but rock climbing is definitely worth trying in 2025. Whether you’re climbing indoors at a bouldering gym or scaling actual rocks in the wild, it’s a full-body workout that will make you feel like you can conquer the world (or at least that very high rock).
Pro Tip: Don’t look down. Seriously, just don’t.
Why You Should Try It: It’s perfect for adrenaline junkies and fitness lovers alike. Plus, you get to say “I climbed that rock” and sound like the coolest person in the room. Who doesn’t want that?
9. Lacrosse (The Sport You’ve Never Played But Should)
Lacrosse is an underrated gem that deserves more attention in India. A mix of basketball, hockey, and rugby, it’s an intense sport involving two teams, sticks with nets, and a small rubber ball. The objective is to catch, carry, and pass the ball in order to score goals. It’s fast, physical, and a great way to burn off energy.
Pro Tip: The trick is to master the art of scooping the ball up without it flying out of your net every time. It’s a true test of patience and skill.
Why You Should Try It: If you’ve always wanted to play a sport that combines speed, strategy, and a little bit of contact, lacrosse is where it’s at. Plus, it’s a great way to meet new people!
10. Dragon Boat Racing (For the Bravehearts)
Now, for something really out there: Dragon Boat Racing. If you’ve ever wanted to channel your inner warrior, this sport involves teams paddling together in a long boat, racing through the water in sync. It’s a team effort where coordination and strength are key, and there’s something about paddling in a boat with a dragon head at the front that makes you feel unstoppable.
Pro Tip: Make sure your team is actually in sync. If not, you’ll look like a bunch of confused ducks paddling in different directions.
Why You Should Try It: It’s a truly unique sport, and if you’ve got a competitive streak and love working in teams, this will be a fantastic choice.
Conclusion:
There you have it, folks—10 underrated sports you absolutely need to try in 2025. Whether you’re looking for a new fitness routine, an exciting new challenge, or simply something to impress your friends with, these sports are guaranteed to bring some fun, laughs, and maybe a few faceplants along the way.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your gear, gather your squad, and start checking these sports off your bucket list. And remember, if you end up falling flat on your face, just blame it on “trying something new.” 😜
