On Thursday, December 18, 2025, India Women’s Team defeated reigning world champions Kenya in a thrilling and close-contested finals match at the 7th Roll Ball World Cup held in Dubai by a score of 3-2. This victory marked India’s third championship title for the women’s team, having previously won in 2013 and 2017. Meanwhile, Kenya lost their chance to make a hat-trick of world titles.
In the 2023 edition, India’s Women’s team finished third, which was held in Pune. In the 2025 finals, the highlight performances came from Suvidha Sareen and Prachi Pachauri, who made valuable contributions to the team’s victory.
Not just women, but the men’s team also won the 2025 world title. They also defeated reigning champions Kenya to take the double World Cup crown. After trailing at 4–8, India’s Hiteshwar Singh and Harshal Ghuge led the comeback in the second half, leveling the score at 10-10, but a goal at the end sealed the victory by 11-10. With the win, India secured their fifth Men’s World Cup title. Their previous victories came straight four consecutive times from 2013, but Kenya ended their streak in 2023.
What is a Roll Ball?
The Roll Ball sport is a fast-paced game that includes a combination of different sports elements, including basketball, handball, and roller skating. The game was introduced in 2003 in India by a physical education teacher from Pune named Raju Dabade. The World Cup was first held in Pune in 2011. By 2024, the tournament was played in over 60 countries. Kenya bagged both the men’s and women’s team World Cup in the 2023 World Cup held in Pune.
The game is played between two teams, and every player has to wear roller shoes. Each team should have 12 players, six on the playing and the remaining six in reserve.
The team has to score the maximum goals in a given stipulated time. The ball is held either in one or both hands, and when passing it to the other players, the ball has to be repeatedly bounced on the ground.
India’s Roll Ball World Cup Titles
Men’s Team: India – 5
Women’s Team: India – 3 (2013, 2017, 2025)
Roll Ball World Cup winners so far:
- Denmark (men) – 2011 (Pune)
- India (men) – 2013 (Nairobi)
- India (men) – 2015 (Pune)
- India (women) – 2017 (Dhaka)
- India (men), Kenya (women) – 2019 (Chennai)
- Kenya (men & women) – 2023 (Pune)
- India (men & women) – 2025 (Dubai)
