NPS India 2025 wraps up with Shikhar Dhawan honouring winners at NOG

With over 4,000 prize winners and 573 podium finishes, including Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals, this year's National Poker Series India featured a massive ₹108 crore prize pool, highlighting its growing importance in India's poker scene

The National Poker Series India (NPS) 2025 came to an exciting end with the “Night of Glory,” a spectacular event celebrating India’s top poker players. Hosted on PokerBaazi from February 23rd to March 24th, this year’s competition saw a record-breaking 600,000+ entries, making it the most competitive season in the series' history.

The grand finale was a star-studded affair, attended by Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, who took the stage to highlight the similarities between poker and cricket. He noted, “Poker, like cricket, demands sharp decision-making, patience, and composure under pressure,” drawing a clear comparison between the mental toughness required for both games. His remarks helped emphasize poker's status as a mind sport, a recognition formally granted by the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA).

Over 4,000 participants claimed prizes throughout the season, with 573 players securing podium finishes and earning Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals. This year's event boasted an impressive prize pool of ₹108 crore, underscoring the growing significance of NPS in India’s poker scene.

Karnataka’s Bhanu Prakash KC emerged as the season’s dominant player, topping both the India Leaderboard and the Series Leaderboard. The grand finale saw Delhi’s Bhavye Mittal clinch the gold medal and ₹94.26 lakh in prize money. Gujarat’s Dhruvin Kothari secured the silver medal and ₹82.11 lakh, while Maharashtra’s Pratik Manjrekar earned the bronze medal along with ₹60.64 lakh.

Top poker talent to now compete in Goa

Looking ahead, the action continues with the National Poker Champion Showdown, scheduled to take place in Goa from April 13th to 17th. The event, a first for the series, will feature the top 12 players from NPS India 2025, each representing their respective states. The winner will be awarded ₹1 crore in a thrilling final that will be broadcast live on an OTT platform, offering fans across India a front-row seat to the action.

Navkiran Singh, the Founder & CEO of Baazi Games, emphasized the growth of poker in India, stating, “The National Poker Series India 2025 has set new benchmarks, showcasing incredible talent and competitive spirit. The introduction of the National Poker Champion Showdown has truly made this season historic.”

The “Night of Glory” concluded with exciting performances by comedian Gaurav Kapoor, the jazz-rock band Submarine in Space, and DJ Sukhbir, celebrating the triumphs of the event’s winners. With this season's overwhelming success, the NPS continues to strengthen its position as India’s premier poker platform, inspiring a new generation of poker enthusiasts and players.