#31: India’s WSOP 2025 Main Event Journey

#31: India’s WSOP 2025 Main Event Journey: A Proud and Promising Run

The 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event – Event #81 – had a record turnout of 9,735 players, resulting in a prize pool of more than $90 Million. As the biggest and most prestigious poker tournament in the world, it brought together top players from across the globe. Among them was a determined group from India, ready to prove themselves on poker’s biggest stage. Their journey was filled with highs and lows, moments of excitement, and tough exits – all closely followed by Indian poker fans.

India’s Campaign: From Start to Day 3

A total of 44 Indian players participated in the Main Event. By the end of Day 2D, 10 had advanced to Day 3. Several were above the average chip stack of 169,157, including Zarvan Tumboli (233,000), Ashish Anilkumar (232,000), Apratim Sharma (194,500), and Kartik Ved (188,500). Aditya Sushant, India’s first WSOP bracelet winner, also advanced with 96,500 chips. This strong start demonstrated Indian players increasing strength on the global stage.

Day 3 to Day 4: Battling Forward

Day 3 saw the field shrink dramatically. Despite the tough competition, 6 Indian players progressed to Day 4. Nikesh Chawla led the group with 682,200 chips, followed by Tumboli (507,000) and Kanishk Upreti (490,000). Triple Crown winner Nishant Sharma also advanced. However, big names like Aditya Sushant and Santhosh Suvarna were knocked out. Still, the survival of six players reflected India’s increasing ability to go deep in tough tournaments.

Day 4 & 5: The Last Two Standing

By Day 5, only two Indians remained: Zarvan Tumboli and Nishant Sharma, both from Mumbai. Tumboli ended Day 4 with 1,070,000 chips, while Sharma had 905,000. Meanwhile, several others cashed out – including Chawla (627th for $27,500) and Ved (654th for $27,500). Their performances marked strong achievements, especially for first-time Main Event cashers.

Zarvan Tumboli’s Deep Run

Tumboli made a remarkable leap on Day 5, growing his stack to 5,000,000 chips and entering Day 6 ranked 31st out of 202 players. He eventually finished 119th, earning $70,000 (₹60.10 lakh) – his best WSOP result and first Main Event cash. His run captured the attention of Indian fans and inspired many aspiring players. It showed that deep runs in the Main Event are possible for Indian players with skill and persistence.

Nishant Sharma’s Solid Showing

Sharma, known for finishing 34th in the 2018 Main Event, had another strong performance. He finished 280th this year, winning $52,500. With three Poker Dream titles, Sharma continues to be one of India’s most reliable poker professionals.

Final Table & Global Winner

The WSOP 2025 Main Event final table features 9 top players, including stars like Leo Margets, Kenny Hallaert, and 7-time bracelet winner Michael Mizrachi. Day 9 resumes on 15th July, and very soon, we will finally find out who takes home the coveted Main Event title.

Conclusion: A Step Forward

Indian poker continues to make history with impactful performances on the world stage. With players like Tumboli, Sharma, and others across multiple events, Indian poker continues to grow stronger. This year’s success lays a solid foundation for even greater achievements in the years to come.

Thanks for reading—stay tuned, stay sharp, and keep rooting for Indian poker!

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