A new cult hero has emerged at the iconic Alexandra Palace, as Indian darts ace Nitin Kumar etched his name into the history books with a landmark victory at the World Darts Championship.
Who is 'The Royal Bengal'? The Making of a Pioneer
Nitin Kumar, known by the moniker 'The Royal Bengal', is the professional darts player from India who has become a trailblazer for his nation. Born in Chennai and hailing from Coimbatore, Kumar has been involved in the sport for an astonishing three decades, first picking up darts at the tender age of ten.
Although he proudly represents India, Kumar's base for much of his life and training has been Dubai. He moved there as a child with his family and developed his game within the competitive Middle Eastern darts scene. What began as a hobby transformed into his profession in 2016, and he has since become a mainstay on the PDC circuit, consistently appearing in major international qualifiers and holding a place on the prestigious PDC Order of Merit.
A Historic Moment at the Palace
This week, Kumar achieved his greatest feat to date at the World Darts Championship. In a tense and emotional five-set battle against Richard Veenstra, Kumar secured a momentous win. This victory marked him as the first Indian player ever to win a match in the tournament's history, sending waves of excitement through the Ally Pally crowd.
This breakthrough builds on a solid foundation of success. Kumar has represented India multiple times at the PDC World Cup of Darts, claimed a PDC Asian Tour title in 2023, and is the reigning Mongolian Open champion after his 2024 triumph.
The Monumental Challenge Ahead: Stephen Bunting Awaits
The historic run is far from over, but the next hurdle is monumental. Kumar's reward for his first-round victory is a second-round clash against the world number four, Stephen 'The Bullet' Bunting.
This encounter represents the most significant challenge of Kumar's career. Facing one of the sport's elite players on the grandest stage, he will aim to produce another stunning upset and extend his fairytale journey at the 2026 World Darts Championship. All eyes will be on 'The Royal Bengal' as he steps up to the oche once more, carrying the hopes of a nation and the admiration of the Ally Pally faithful.
