India achieved a historic milestone in international lacrosse by winning its first-ever Asian championship gold medal at the Asian Lacrosse Games held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 1–5 February 2026. The victory signals a major step forward for the sport’s development in the country and positions India as an emerging force in Asian lacrosse.
Lacrosse, one of the world’s oldest team sports, has grown rapidly in global popularity over the past decade. Known for its speed and continuous play, the sport blends athleticism with tactical precision. It is played internationally in three formats: traditional 10-a-side field lacrosse, the more physical indoor box lacrosse, and lacrosse sixes, a faster format designed to accelerate the sport’s global expansion and support its pathway toward Olympic inclusion.
India’s recent international progress has primarily come in field lacrosse and lacrosse sixes. That progress reached a defining moment in Riyadh, where the Indian men’s lacrosse sixes team delivered its most successful international campaign to date.
The team clinched gold with a commanding 9–2 victory over Iraq in the final. Throughout the tournament, India demonstrated composure, adaptability, and tactical discipline, improving steadily with each match.
The campaign was led by captain Anudeep Reddy, a pioneering figure in Indian lacrosse who previously served as captain of the country’s first men’s field lacrosse team before becoming its first lacrosse sixes captain. Under his leadership, the team showed resilience and structure during high-pressure moments.
“Leading India in international lacrosse has been a responsibility I take great pride in,” Reddy said. “This gold medal reflects the belief the team built over the tournament and the progress Indian lacrosse is making step by step.”
Reddy credited his international playing exposure for strengthening his decision-making and composure. “That exposure helped me manage momentum and pressure situations better. Those learnings made a real difference during the Asian Games,” he added.
The team’s success was supported by the Lacrosse Association of India, with Chief Operating Officer Saurabh Vetal overseeing tournament logistics and on-ground coordination. Vetal highlighted the operational challenges of the event and the team’s professional growth.
“From travel and scheduling to match-day operations, this tournament tested us at every level,” Vetal said. “The way the team handled the demands of the competition reflects how Indian lacrosse is maturing both on and off the field.”
