Exclusive | India outclass an Argentine powerhouse and win one for the history books

On a crisp Saturday evening, Delhi witnessed a spectacle it had not seen in nearly a decade.

The iconic Jaipur Polo Ground — long regarded as the beating heart of India’s modern polo story — came alive once more with the thunder of hooves and the crack of mallets as India triumphed over Argentina in a historic, high-octane five-chukker clash for the KogniVera International Polo Cup 2025.

It was more than a game; it was a statement.

Against an Argentine lineup that embodied precision and power, the Indian team rode with heart, discipline, and daring. When the final bell sounded and the scoreboard read 10-9 in India’s favour, the crowd erupted — aware they had just witnessed a defining moment in Indian polo.

A spectacle for the ages

The Indian team, captained by Simran Singh Shergill — Arjuna awardee and one of the country’s most seasoned professionals — featured a lineup of +4 handicap players: HH Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh, Syed Shamsheer Ali, and Siddhant Sharma, with Hurr Ali as reserve.

Facing them was an Argentine quartet as formidable as it was experienced: Juan Augustin Garcia Grossi (+6), Salvador Jauretche (+5), Matias Bautista Espasandin (0), and Alejo Aramburu (+6), with Nicolas Jorge Corti Maderna (+5) as reserve — a lineup that mirrored Argentina’s unmatched depth and technical mastery.

On paper, Argentina appeared the favourites. With two +6 goalers in Aramburu and Grossi, and Jauretche at +5, the visitors carried an intimidating weight of international experience.

But India had something stronger: hunger, unity, and the home crowd’s thunderous energy.

The match was a five-chukker masterpiece — fierce, fast, and unforgiving. Argentina started strong, matching India stride for stride, their horses slicing through the turf with the precision the South American nation is famous for.

Yet India, led by the ever-composed Shergill, found rhythm in teamwork. When the final bell echoed, the Indian team had edged past the Argentine powerhouse.

Firstpost spoke to numerous players during the match to receive their exclusive inputs. Shergill, who was deservedly named Best Player of the Match, reflected on the triumph.

“We had a good win today. I want to thank the Argentine team for coming together to play against us. I want to thank all my teammates, Pacho, Siddhant, Chama, they were all absolute gladiators out there. A big thank you to Mr. Naveen Jindal for supporting all us Indian players, for providing us top horses to play and enabling us to win,” he told Firstpost.

He continued, visibly moved by the atmosphere, “It’s a good day, you know, we’ve had an international in Delhi after a very long time. We’re very proud to play in front of our home crowd, in front of our friends and families, all coming to support us. And especially against a champion team like Argentina, that played very, very well. And it makes us happy to win against such a strong team.”

Behind the match: How it all came together

The story of this landmark match began months before the first chukker. Col. Vikramjeet Singh Kahlon, VSM, Honorary Secretary of the Indian Polo Association (IPA), shared with Firstpost how the concept was born out of international cooperation and vision.

“We started talks with Polo World, which is a company which promotes the Argentine national team. Last year, when we had gone to represent India at the FIP General Assembly meeting in Buenos Aires in the month of December. On the sidelines of this particular conference, we had a talk with the representatives of Polo World as well as the Argentine Polo Association (AAP), and that set the ball rolling.”

He explained that the timing of the match was equally strategic.

“For us also, this is sort of building up to the two 14-goal tournaments which we have in Delhi. After a span of almost 10 years in the national capital season.”

It wasn’t just about competition; it was about symbolism. The India-Argentina fixture represented not only a renewal of high-level international polo in Delhi but also the deep cultural connection between two countries united by their love of the sport.

Kahlon noted the challenge of the opponents’ quality and what this win meant in perspective, “To be honest, the Argentine players are the best in the world at all levels. So for the Indian team to come away as winners, it definitely means a lot.”

“And these are not players who have just arrived in India, these are players who are well-accustomed to Indian conditions. They come here year on year. They are well-versed with our grounds, our horses. They also have played against and with all our Indian players who competed today.”

A big boost to Indian grassroots polo

Every Indian player walked off the ground with the satisfaction of having contributed to a rare and momentous victory. Sawai Padmanabh Singh, one of India’s brightest young polo ambassadors, spoke to Firstpost about the significance of the win.

“Well, it was very important that we played this game over here on Indian turf. India needs to see more such international polo matches. I am very happy and privileged that I got the opportunity today to represent our beautiful country against the leading polo team in the world.”

He added warmly, “Lovely bunch of guys that we played with. We’re all very good friends off the field, and very, very significant also for our country to have got this win today here in India, against Argentina.”

For Syed Shamsheer Ali, the victory was both a test and a testament to India’s progress.

“We played against the best team in the world, any handicap, if they are 10-goal, 16-goal, 20-goal, however they come. They are the best in the world, the best horsemen, and they played best today,” he told Firstpost.

“They were the best mounted team against us, because Achievers, Delta and Jindal (top polo-playing Indian teams) mounted them with the best horses. And luckily, we pulled it through.”

He looked beyond the match to the larger picture, saying, “I think the youngsters who are coming up, it’s a good boost for them, because Argentina as you know, is known for dominating the world polo scene wherever you go, they have dominated the circuit. It’s good for us, good for Indian Polo. And we did our best and we won.”

Siddhant Sharma, another key player in India’s lineup, reflected on the grind that led to the triumph. “You work so hard to sort of win these games.”

Speaking to Firstpost, he added, “I think there was pressure. Definitely. Those players are better players. They play at a better level than us. So it was challenging, but at the same time, a great learning experience.”

“It also proves that we can do better if we play at a better level. It motivates us to do better. The horses were amazing. It’s always good to have them playing well because you work all year to have them ready.”

Argentine cooperation is reviving Indian polo

From the opposite camp, Argentine player Nicolas Jorge Corti Maderna — who sat out the match after a fall earlier in the week — shared candid and insightful observations about Indian polo’s evolution.

“Polo in India actually is very competitive. It’s my second time here. Right now I’m with Jindal and will be playing the whole season in Delhi for two months,” he shared with Firstpost.

“The players are very good. The local pros here are very good, as well as the patrons. And that has made Polo pretty competitive and fast and fun to play.”

Asked by Firstpost how Indian polo compares to Argentina, he observed, “They are improving a lot every year. Bringing a lot of horses from Argentina. Last year Pacho (Sawai Padmanabh Singh) from Jaipur brought a lot of horses. Jindal (Jindal polo team) also brought a lot of horses from Argentina.”

He elaborated on what gives Argentine polo its enduring dominance.

“The thing is that in Argentina there is a large history of horse breeding of polo ponies. So they improve their genetics every year and there’s been a big selection of horses from the past 40 years. That’s why with the new bloodlines, with the genetics, all the horses are in good standard.”

“Also they are improving the fields (in India). And that is making Polo more competitive and it’s growing a lot.”

On how India can continue to rise, he offered thoughtful advice, “I think that they have to try to encourage the young people to get into the sport and try to organise polo for kids and start with the new generations. So you will have new players in the future.”

Speaking about his injury earlier in the week, Maderna shared, “I fell with my head on the ground and I heard a crack in my neck, and my right arm was completely numb. Now I’m much better but I’m still stiff. That’s why today I’m sitting out and a substitute is playing for me. Because I still have to play the whole season here.”

“Yes, it’s a sport where you have to be careful when in a particular place. And also with the horses and everything. It can be dangerous if you don’t do things properly.”

A hope for India’s polo renaissance

For Indian polo, this match was more than a victory — it was a statement. A demonstration of how far the sport has come and how much potential still lies ahead. Kahlon noted how such moments inspire the next generation.

“Yeah, certainly. I think the youngsters who are taking up this sport and who have seen this particular game on the iconic Jaipur polo ground in Delhi would definitely be motivated and fascinated to take up this sport with more gusto.”

The event drew a distinguished audience of over a thousand guests, led by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Tourism.

The evening’s grandeur reflected the stature of the sport, with Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs; Naveen Jindal, Member of Parliament and Chairman of Jindal Steel and Power; celebrated poet Dr. Kumar Vishwas; Lt Gen VMB Krishnan, Quarter Master General of the Indian Army; and numerous ambassadors and diplomats in attendance.

For the organisers, it was a milestone of pride. Kamlesh Sharma, CEO and MD of KogniVera IT Solutions, summed up the evening’s sentiment.

“Polo represents grace, grit, and global friendship, values that resonate deeply with KogniVera. Hosting and witnessing India’s victory at the KogniVera International Polo Cup has been truly special. It’s heartening to see this sport unite people across cultures and inspire excellence on and off the field.”

From a wider perspective, India’s triumph over Argentina — the undisputed global superpower of polo — reignited memories of the country’s historic legacy.

Polo, after all, was born in ancient India, refined under royal patronage, and carried by cavalrymen.

On the evening of October 25, 2025, as horses trotted back to their stables and the cheers echoed across the grounds, Indian polo had won much more than a match.

At Firstpost, we extensively covered Indian polo through the 2024-25 season, first focusing on the  origins of the sport,  and then diving deep into the  role of the Indian Armed Forces in reviving polo  as well as the  challenges the sport faces  in the subcontinent.

Now we have begun with a new series of features focusing on the 2025-26 Indian polo season.