Shikhar Dhawan Celebrates the Winners at the National Poker Series India’s ‘Night of Glory’
The National Poker Series India (NPSI), the country’s largest poker championship, concluded with a grand event known as Night of Glory. The ceremony recognized India’s finest poker players and reinforced poker’s growing status as a mind sport. The 2025 edition of NPSI, hosted on PokerBaazi, achieved a new milestone, attracting over 600,000 participants. Out of them, 573 players clinched Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals, making this the most competitive season yet. Running from February 23 to March 24, the event culminated in an exciting finale, graced by cricket star Shikhar Dhawan, who honored the winners and added to the occasion’s prestige. This year’s series awarded a total prize pool of over INR 108 crore.
Shikhar Dhawan, widely recognized for his dynamic playing style in cricket, drew parallels between poker and cricket, emphasizing the role of skill, strategy, and mental toughness. His participation highlighted poker’s growing reputation as a mind sport in India, alongside games like chess and esports. Recognized by the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA), poker continues to gain momentum in India, thanks in part to platforms like NPSI, which offer standardized rules, international competition, and new professional opportunities.
After several weeks of intense competition, Bhanu Prakash KC from Karnataka emerged as the leader of both the India Leaderboard and Series Leaderboard, solidifying his place as a top poker talent in the country. The Main Event saw Bhavye Mittal from Delhi claim the gold medal, earning a prize of INR 94.26 lakh. Dhruvin Kothari from Gujarat and Pratik Manjrekar from Maharashtra secured the silver (INR 82.11 lakh) and bronze (INR 60.64 lakh) medals, respectively.
The next big event, the National Poker Champion Showdown, will feature the top 12 players from the series competing in a high-stakes final for the first time. These players, representing their respective states, will gather in Goa from April 13 to 17 for this historic showdown. The winner will unlock a special INR 1 crore freeroll for players from their state, raising the stakes for future editions. The showdown will be broadcast on a popular OTT platform.
Navkiran Singh, Founder and CEO of Baazi Games, commented on the success of NPSI 2025: “This edition of the National Poker Series India has set a new benchmark, highlighting the talent and competitive spirit of Indian poker players. With the introduction of the National Poker Champion Showdown, this season has been truly groundbreaking. The Night of Glory was a remarkable celebration, inspiring players across the country. As poker continues to be recognized as a mind sport, we remain dedicated to nurturing a vibrant community and elevating Indian poker to new heights.”
The Night of Glory ceremony featured electrifying performances by comedian Gaurav Kapoor, the jazz-rock band Submarine in Space, and DJ Sukhbir, adding to the excitement of the event. NPSI 2025 has once again proven its place as India’s leading poker series, offering a competitive and dynamic platform for the next generation of poker enthusiasts.
About National Poker Series India Founded in 2021, the National Poker Series India is the premier poker championship in India, providing a competitive platform for both amateur and professional players. Since its launch, NPSI has attracted over 11 lakh entries, hosted 595 tournaments, and awarded 1,794 medals in gold, silver, and bronze categories. With over INR 240 crore in prize money awarded, NPSI has firmly established itself as a prestigious event in the Indian poker scene, shaping the future of the sport in the country.
