 "Exclusive | What Indian polo players need to become world-class: Insights from the Indian Polo Championship")
Polo in India has a storied past, deeply intertwined with its cavalry traditions and the patronage of royalty and industrialists.
Over the years, the sport has evolved, with private sponsorship and corporate involvement playing an increasing role.
Our previous features have explored the history of polo in India , the legacy of army polo through the the 61st Cavalry, and the influence of the President’s Bodyguard (PBG) in shaping the sport’s future.
Now, the focus shifts to the Jindal Steel Indian Open Polo Championship, a high-stakes polo tournament that once again highlighted both the talent and the challenges in Indian polo today.
One of the country’s highest-ranking tournaments with a +14 handicap, the tournament served as a litmus test for Indian polo and Indian players looking to compete at the international level.
Played from March 18 to March 23, 2025, at the Jaipur Polo Ground in New Delhi, this prestigious event was organised by Jindal Panther Polo. The championship featured four elite teams — Jindal/Carysil, Jindal Panther, Jaipur Delta and Dynamix Achievers.
With teams relying heavily on foreign professionals to meet the handicap requirement, the tournament put a spotlight on the gap between Indian players and their global counterparts.
According to the 2024 Indian Polo Association (IPA) handicap list accessed by Firstpost, there are only seven Indian players with a +3 handicap and around fifteen with a +2 ranking, with the rest positioned lower.
The shortage of homegrown players at elite tournaments like the Indian Open raises important questions: What is preventing Indian players from reaching higher handicaps? What infrastructure, training and international exposure are needed to develop world-class talent?
To address these concerns, Firstpost spoke with key stakeholders in the Indian polo fraternity, including players, owners and administrators, to gather insights on how India can close this gap.
Field quality seems to be the main concern
One of the most pressing concerns in Indian polo is the condition and availability of well-maintained playing fields. While some grounds, particularly in Jaipur and Noida, have seen significant improvements, many others across the country still require urgent attention.
A consistent theme among players, both Indian and international, is that world-class playing surfaces are fundamental to the sport’s progress.
The Jindal Polo Estate in Noida has been touted as the best polo ground in India and perhaps Asia.
Shamsheer Ali, one of India’s top polo players with a +3 handicap, stated the importance of proper field maintenance, particularly in the capital.
“The Jindal grounds are the best in the country, that’s in Noida. In Delhi, we need to maintain this JPG [Jaipur Polo Ground in New Delhi] ground and they have army grounds. If they get a good budget to maintain the grounds, it’s the key to revive polo here," he told Firstpost.
His sentiment is shared by many who believe that the quality of fields directly impacts player performance, safety, and the ability to host high-calibre tournaments.
Himmat Singh Bedla, a professional player with a +1 handicap originally from Udaipur, reinforced this point, highlighting the need for upgrades across key polo venues. “So I think now the only thing that needs a big change for the betterment of polo is the grounds. In Jaipur, the grounds have improved drastically. Delhi, the Jindal setup has one of the best grounds in the country. This particular ground where we are, Jaipur Polo Ground, and there are other army polo grounds, those grounds need to be upgraded.”
His comments reflect a broader need for structured investment in infrastructure to ensure that India can compete on par with leading polo nations.
International players have also observed the disparity in field quality across different locations. Santiago Marambio, a seasoned Argentine player with a +6 handicap, noted that some Indian venues already meet high international standards. “Jodhpur is amazing, really nice. And the fields in Jaipur, yes, they are better than even here [Delhi].”
Juance Harriot, another accomplished Argentine player with a +6 handicap, pointed out that India already has the horses and organisational structure to support a higher level of polo, but infrastructure investment remains key.
“I think India has a good organisation with really good horses so it’s not too big a difference.” He further added, “Maybe put some more money in the fields, try to get the handicap of tournaments higher and bring more players.”
His words align with a growing consensus that without sustained investment in better fields, Indian players will struggle to reach their full potential.
How important is international exposure
As the polo season in India more or less comes to a close in a few days due to the high temperatures across the sub-continent, the gap serves as an opportunity for domestic polo players to play abroad.
For Indian polo players to compete at a world-class level, international exposure and participation in high-goal tournaments are essential.
The current structure of Indian polo sees players competing predominantly in domestic circuits, with only a handful gaining experience in high-handicap events abroad.
This gap in exposure directly impacts skill development, game strategy, and overall competitiveness, making it difficult for Indian players to match the pace, precision and tactical depth of their global counterparts.
Siddhant Sharma, a +3 handicap Indian player for the Jindal Panther polo team, believes exposure to higher-level polo is key. “I think we have to play at a better level. At the 8-10 goal, I think we’re very competitive. But we need to play more 14 and 12 goal-tournaments. But unfortunately, there’s not so much polo at that level happening. So there are only 4 to 5 weeks in the whole year we get exposure to that. That needs to increase.”
On the value of playing abroad, he added, “It’s very important. It’s hard. It’s not so easy to do it. Every time you go out, you learn, you see.”
Bhawani Singh Kalvi, a +2 handicap Indian professional, echoed this sentiment, stating that both the players and the Indian Polo Association (IPA) should actively seek more international exposure.
“To improve our local handicaps of the Indian players, I think the Indian Polo Association needs to send more teams abroad and have coaching camps for them and make them play in international tournaments.”
International players agree that regular exposure to high-goal polo will significantly benefit Indian players. Lance Watson, a +4 handicap South African professional, stressed that Indian players need to seek out opportunities to play with top professionals. “They need to create more opportunities to play with better polo players in order to improve their own polo. And this is a good example of what they need to be playing — a 14-goal level polo with three or four professionals on the polo field. And they need to put themselves up against those players in order to improve their own game. To see what they need to work on — through skills, through horse riding, through learning the rules, understanding the game, and gaining experience.”
Chris McKenzie, a +7 handicap South African player, highlighted the importance of early exposure to international standards. “Indian polo players obviously grew up in India where they don’t have much access to international polo standards. I was quite lucky as a kid, I travelled to the UK, to Argentina a lot. I think that sums up your answer, that if the guys travel more when they’re younger, it’s better for their polo. So that’s the trick, obviously, to travel.”
He noted that some younger Indian players are beginning to travel more, which could be a game-changer. “They get exposed to international standards, handicapping, horses, and different game styles.”
One of those young players is 17-year-old Vishwarupe Bajaj, who has already played in South Africa and England. Heading to England to fill the gap for the next few months, he shared, “I am going abroad to learn. The amount of polo or the amount of knowledge you learn abroad compared to India, it’s unreal.”
Rajesh Sahgal, chairman of the Polo Tournament Committee, pointed out the seasonal limitations in India, which make international play even more essential. “There is virtually no polo in India during the summer. From now up to September. So, most of the good players, they do go out and play. And that not only helps them retain their form, but also definitely helps them improve their game.”
“That’s the key. If the Indian youngsters go out and play, get more exposure, they come back and play better. So the problem is they’re not getting the exposure they deserve to play polo in India right now because everything is expensive now," added Ali, who has achieved a career high ranking of +6.
New Zealand international player John Paul Clarkin, who holds a +6 handicap, pointed out that playing in different polo environments is a necessity. “The players I think now, the three-goal players in India are very well handicapped and very competitive. But I think with the younger guys that haven’t had the exposure, the ability hopefully to go and play a little bit abroad is always a plus. Just learning to play with different people and different styles of polo."
Argentina, considered the apex of polo on the globe is being seen as the top international destination for world-class exposure.
“Obviously, Argentina is the home of polo. The quality of the horses, the polo players, everything there is really hard to understand unless you go. And they play a different style. So that’s definitely a must — even if you don’t get to play in Argentina, you go and you watch and you get inspired,” Clarkin told Firstpost.
Echoing this sentiment, Marambio added, “The difference between India and Argentina is that we are used to playing a much higher handicap. The higher handicap you play, it’s faster, and you need better horses. So if you have the opportunity to play a higher handicap, you are going to improve much better than just always playing the same handicap.”
He further suggested that Indian players would benefit greatly from spending time in top polo-playing nations. “If you go to Argentina for one month to play 20 goals, that used to be here, or maybe the UK, that’s going to help them to understand a bit more about how polo is. Because when you play higher, you realise much more how the movement of the sport is.”
Harriot also stressed the need for year-round polo. “Start younger, play more polo and maybe April, May, June and July when there is no polo, maybe go outside to another country and still play the whole year.”
Polo at the grassroots level is essential
For any sport to thrive and produce world-class athletes, it must have a strong grassroots foundation. In India, while polo has a rich legacy, its growth is hindered by limited access to the sport at a young age.
Unlike Argentina or the UK, where aspiring players start early and play competitive polo from their teenage years, India lacks structured entry points for children and teenagers to get involved.
Without dedicated youth programmes, polo risks remaining an exclusive sport with a declining talent pool.
Sharma highlighted the urgent need to bring fresh talent into the sport. “That’s the number one thing. We need to encourage youngsters coming in. We need to get new people in the sport. Because somehow the inlet of people coming in is narrowing down, which is not nice.”
He stressed that institutions dedicated to teaching the sport would make a significant difference. “We need a riding school and a polo school, etc. And then people will start coming through. Because it’s a beautiful sport, and I’m sure everyone would like to try it.”
International players who have witnessed successful grassroots polo structures in other countries also see this as a crucial area for development in India. McKenzie pointed out how regular competition for young players would create a major shift.
“I’ve been saying it, if we could play every week a tournament where under-20s played against under-20s, you’d see a massive boom in Indian polo. That’s maybe what’s lacking.” He also acknowledged the cultural and academic pressures that prevent young Indian players from dedicating time to the sport.
Despite these challenges, there is a growing equestrian culture in India, with many schools introducing horse riding as part of their extracurricular activities. Bedla noted that while other equestrian disciplines are growing, polo is still struggling to attract young participants.
“Right now, equestrian is going big, like jumping and dressage. Polo is lagging behind and the younger generation needs to take part. And of course, it’s an expensive sport, the infrastructure is completely different. But there are a lot of people who are supporting polo to a different level. Naveen Jindal is one of the biggest examples in the country we have, where he has created a setup where everyone is welcome to come and play.”
He believes integrating polo into school sports programmes would be a game-changer. “A lot of schools, they are having equestrian, but if they can also encourage polo…”
Kalvi also acknowledged the financial barriers to grassroots polo but noted some positive developments. “I would say at the grassroots level, I think now if you see, a lot of schools have started riding. Polo is an expensive sport, there is no doubt about it.”
However, while more schools are introducing riding, there remains a gap in structured polo programmes that can take young riders from basic horsemanship to competitive play.
Establishing riding schools, dedicated polo academies and structured youth leagues would help build a sustainable pipeline of talent. Without these foundational steps, the sport risks stagnation, with only a handful of players making it to the highest levels.
The involvement of private patrons and institutions is already proving beneficial, but for Indian polo to compete globally, structured grassroots development must become a priority.
Private sponsors and public engagement need to go hand in hand
For Indian polo to thrive and compete on the global stage, two key elements must be strengthened — private sponsorship and public engagement.
Historically, the sport has been closely linked to the Indian Army, which remains a strong custodian of its legacy. However, in the modern era, private teams and sponsors are proving to be essential in developing talent, improving infrastructure and making the game more accessible to a broader audience.
Dr. Aishwarya Paliwal, patron of the Delta Polo team, highlighted the unique role that privately-owned teams play in nurturing talent. “The custodians of the game have been the Indian Army, but privately-owned teams have the unique ability to build long-term foundations for talent development, and that’s exactly what we’re doing at Delta Polo.”
Unlike institutional teams, private teams have the flexibility to invest in young players, provide mentorship, and introduce new ideas that make the sport more competitive. “We are supporting grassroots development by offering promising young riders access to training, mentorship, and horses — essentials that are often out of reach for new players. Our goal is to ensure that any player with talent and passion can find a path into the sport, regardless of their background.”
She further highlighted the importance of arena polo and private initiatives in expanding the sport’s reach. “Private sponsors and clubs are also introducing international-level arena polo in India, allowing more regions — especially those lacking full-size grass fields — to engage with the sport," she told Firstpost.
A fairly new entrant into the Indian polo circuit, the Delta polo team has already made a mark by winning numerous tournaments in the 2024-25 polo season in India. Paliwal also revealed that Delta planned to host an exhibition match in Dubai next season to showcase Indian talent on a global stage.
Private investment has also led to improvements in infrastructure and horse quality, which are critical for raising the level of Indian polo. Vikram Rathore, co-owner of the Achievers Polo team, highlighted this, saying, “We need to improve our infrastructure, especially our grounds and our horses. That is what is required. We still lack internationally if you compare us with any country in Europe, or Argentina. They have hundreds of grounds and no dearth of horses. Here, we have to make a deliberate effort to improve our grounds, increase the number of grounds, and improve the quality of horses.”
Beyond infrastructure, sponsors are making a direct impact by increasing the number of competitive teams in tournaments. Dino Dhankar, a professional Indian polo player, pointed out the critical role that sponsors play in sustaining the sport.
“This sport needs sponsors for sure to just maneuver the sport and get more and more teams. Plus, sponsors like Jindal Panther not only put up a team but also sponsor a whole tournament — that too, the Indian Open — which makes a lot of difference.”
He added that new sponsors have helped bring in foreign players, increase the number of teams, and enhance competition levels. “The new sponsors like Mayfair and Delta coming in, you get more teams, more horses coming in, more foreign players, and the number of teams is increased. And that’s the most important thing — the competition increases.”
While private investment is strengthening polo’s foundation, public engagement remains a key challenge. Despite its rich history and thrilling nature, polo has yet to reach mainstream audiences in India.
Pulkit Bhojwani, an avid polo fan, explained how the sport is struggling with visibility. “I mean, the sport is not promoted enough, and there really is no awareness about it. Even here, people can come and watch, but they don’t know that polo is happening. Anyone can join and anyone can come and see the games.”
He compared polo’s media presence with other niche sports that have managed to gain traction. “Smaller sports like kabaddi, and even pickleball, are getting telecasted, so polo should get that support.”
However, efforts are being made to change this. The Jaipur season took a step in the right direction by publicising free attendance, which encouraged new spectators to experience the game.
Bhojwani noted, “This season, Jaipur did a good initiative of publicising that the matches are free, people can attend. So they made that effort. This season, I saw many people come, and they were there for the games, getting into the sport, making content, and making other people aware as well. So that started a chain reaction. That could also happen in Delhi.”
Sharma also echoed this sentiment, saying, “Polo is always open to everyone. But people always feel that it’s not. So I think that needs to change. The whole dynamics of it. It used to be on the sports page and not on page 3.”
“There’s so much that goes into playing the sport. I mean every player has a story. All the horses have a story.”
To ensure long-term success, the sport must actively engage with audiences, expand its media presence and create new opportunities for spectators to experience the game firsthand.
Yet, a story of progress and potential persists
Despite these challenges, there is optimism within the polo community. Many believe that with the right structural changes — better grassroots programmes and improved access to quality horses — India has the potential to produce world-class players who can compete at the highest levels.
International players who have competed in the country have noted the rapid progress, and stakeholders within the Indian polo fraternity remain positive about the sport’s future.
Watson has witnessed firsthand the remarkable improvements in Indian polo. “India has improved two-fold in the last two years. The amount of horses that have been imported, and the amount of fields that have been repaired and replanted — the standard of polo has increased immensely. All credit to Indian polo. And it’s giving opportunities for lots more foreigners to come in, better foreigners, more higher-rated foreigners to come in and play. Which is in the best interest of the Indian Polo Association because those who are involved in polo here get to play against them.”
The transformation of Indian polo infrastructure has also been a major factor in the sport’s growth. McKenzie pointed out that the investment in facilities has been game-changing. “In the last two years, you’ve had crazy improvements with infrastructure. You’ve had Naveen Jindal putting in an incredible facility — five fields, under floodlights, an indoor arena, etc. I mean, that’s only happened in the last 4-5 years. The upgrades that have happened there are crazy for Indian polo. It’s going to keep giving to Indian polo players for the next 50 years.”
Jaipur has also witnessed a transformation in its polo facilities, thanks to the efforts of Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur. “He’s done an incredible job there with the fields and upgrading of his field. Three new fields were built outside of the city. Incredible facilities have gone up in the last year. So I think all the changes we’re talking about are already happening,” McKenzie added.
With visionaries driving these developments, the infrastructure now exists to take Indian polo to the next level.
Bedla agreed that the arrival of top-class horses has dramatically improved the standard of play. “The level of polo has definitely increased because a lot of sponsors, especially like Jindal and a few other sponsors — Sujan Tigers, Achievers — have all come in, and they have really made a big mark. A lot of horses have been imported because the best polo in the world is Argentina. And from Argentina, they get a lot of horses. The level of polo has completely changed in India.”
The presence of high-profile sponsors and their continued commitment to polo have been crucial to this progress. Naveen Jindal, owner of the Jindal Panther team and vice president of the IPA, highlighted the importance of keeping India’s polo heritage alive.
“Polo is India’s gift to the world. So it is our responsibility at the Indian Polo Association to encourage the sport.”
He also spoke about Jindal Steel’s long-standing contribution to polo. “Jindal Steel has been promoting polo for almost 30 years now. We have very good polo facilities where lots of youngsters are training. It’s our love for the sport, and it’s our commitment to the sport," he told Firstpost separately in a conversation in December last year.
For young players, these improvements have created greater opportunities than ever before. 20-year-old Dhankar has seen firsthand how Indian polo has grown. “For me, in the past few years, for sure, polo has improved by a mile in India. As you see, we have a minimum of 100 horses coming in every year if you include all the big organisations of Indian polo. Plus, you have more foreign players coming in, and them leaving their own ground and coming and playing in India shows that Indian polo is growing. Horses are coming in, there are more teams every tournament.”
He also stated how major tournaments such as the Jindal Steel Indian Open Polo Championship have helped elevate the sport. “A tournament like the 14-goal, sponsored by Jindal Panther and Jindal Steel, makes a lot of difference.”
Sahgal believes that Indian players are on an upward trajectory and will soon reach higher competitive levels. “The Indian players have been up there all throughout. It’s only post-COVID that the sport has taken a hit as well. But now, as things are moving up, Indian players are improving with each game, each year. And I’m sure in the coming season, a lot of Indian players will be moving up in handicap as well."
“And in the near future, I would say we would be able to field a full Indian 14-goal team.”
The consensus is clear: for Indian players to match the best in the world, they need better infrastructure, more high-goal tournaments, international exposure and a stronger grassroots system.
From Jindal’s world-class facilities to Jaipur’s rising popularity, Indian polo is making strides.
But until the sport sees a more robust pipeline of homegrown talent competing at the highest levels, international players will continue to dominate tournaments like the Jindal Steel Indian Open Polo Championship.
The next decade will be crucial in determining whether India can close the gap and establish itself as a global polo powerhouse.
Firstpost has previously delved into India’s rich polo heritage , exploring the sport’s challenges:
Polo, India’s royal sport, is experiencing a resurgence with growing players, sponsors, and global partnerships.@_anmol_singla, who recently attended Sir Pratap Singh Polo Cup, writes on the game’s evolution, challenges, and future in India.https://t.co/9K6Xb1qn5r
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) November 21, 2024
In its second feature, Firstpost also brought out the Indian Army’s role in sustaining polo:
Despite its royal roots, the sport of polo faces modern challenges, relying on private sponsorship and grassroots efforts to grow@_anmol_singla looks at how the Indian Army sustains the legacy of polo in India
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 5, 2024
Read 👇https://t.co/BD3lI9BT7e
In another feature, Firstpost explored the PBG’s indelible mark on polo and its commitment to preserving this legacy for generations to come:
Set against the historic President’s Bodyguard (PBG) Parade Ground in New Delhi, the President’s Polo Cup celebrates a cherished legacy@_anmol_singla, who attended the exhibition match, looks at the PBG’s association with polo, iconic players and more https://t.co/0Hc3VaMVy2
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) December 18, 2024
This feature adds another dimension to Firstpost’s in-depth coverage of polo in India.
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