Patna: The Indian Crossword League (IXL) 2025 continued to enthrall solvers across continents as the second weekly online round concluded with a fiercely contested battle of wit, wordplay, and mental agility.
Eric Agard of the United States claimed the top spot for the second consecutive week, with compatriot Matthew Marcus finishing close behind and India’s Ramki Krishnan securing third place. Together, the trio has not only dominated the weekly standings but also strengthened their grip on the cumulative leaderboard.
The top 10 for Round 2 showcased an equal split of Indian and international talent, underscoring the global reach of the event. India’s Sohil Bhagat, Shashwat Salgaocar, Madhusudan H, Venkatraghavan Sahasranaman, Aashirwad Vishwanathan, and Samit Kallianpur featured strongly alongside the USA’s Neville Fogarty.
Top 10 Performers – Round 2 (IXL 2025):
- Eric Agard (USA)
- Matthew Marcus (USA)
- Ramki Krishnan (India)
- Sohil Bhagat (India)
- Shashwat Salgaocar (India)
- Madhusudan H (India)
- Venkatraghavan Sahasranaman (India)
- Aashirwad Vishwanathan (India)
- Neville Fogarty (USA)
- Samit Kallianpur (India)
The league has once again highlighted the rising prominence of international competitors, with Philip Coote of Australia and Neville Fogarty of the USA climbing steadily in the rankings and poised to challenge the frontrunners in the coming weeks.
As the competition moves into its third weekly online round, scheduled for Sunday, September 28, anticipation is high among crossword enthusiasts. With new contenders emerging and the leaderboard tightening, the Indian Crossword League 2025 is shaping into one of the most closely fought editions yet.
