Commonwealth Kabaddi 2026: India's Men and Women Crush Nigeria
India's men and women kabaddi teams crush Nigeria in Ahmedabad. Women storm into the semifinals of the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026.
India continued its ruthless streak at the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026, securing dominant victories for both its men's and women's teams against Nigeria. Held at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, the matches saw India maintain its grip on the tournament, with both squads recording their fourth win of the championship.
Women's Team Storms Into Semifinals
The Indian women's team delivered a masterclass in dominance, dismantling Nigeria with a convincing 38-10 victory. This win officially books their spot in the semifinals, leaving no doubt about their form.
The Indian side took control of the game from the opening whistle, establishing a commanding 24-6 lead by the time the first half ended. They maintained this momentum throughout the second half, adding another 14 points to seal the win.
Key Performers for India Women:
- Anu: The standout player of the match, scoring 11 raid points from 17 raids.
- Sakshi: Contributed 4 raid points.
- Nidhi Sharma: The captain added 2 raid points to the tally.
- Defense: Sabhai Gadhavi led the backline with 3 tackle points, while Priya and Ritu contributed 2 tackle points each.
Nigeria struggled to find a rhythm against the Indian defense. Robert Moses was their most effective player with 6 raid points, supported by Bassey Edet with 2. Dennis Udeme managed to secure Nigeria's only tackle point of the match.
Men's Team Completes the Double
Following the women's success, the Indian men's team mirrored the result, defeating Nigeria 50-23. Like the women, the men's squad utilized a strong start to put the game out of reach early on, heading into the break with a massive 25-7 lead.
India's superiority was evident in both departments, outscoring Nigeria 31-21 in raid points and 7-2 in tackle points.
Key Performers for India Men:
- Sachin: Led the raiding charge with 12 points.
- Aditya Shinde: Followed closely with 11 raid points.
- Pankaj Mohite: An all-round effort with 8 raid points and 2 tackle points.
- Surjeet Narwal: The defensive anchor who topped the charts with 4 tackle points.
Nigeria showed more resilience in the second half, scoring 16 points as they attempted a comeback. Edem Wisdom Ita led their effort with 8 raid points, while Ekpe Victory Emmanuel contributed 6 points (5 raid, 1 tackle) and Izu Prince Udah added 5 raid points. Despite the late surge, India's lead remained comfortably intact.
What's Next for Team India?
The road ahead remains challenging as India looks to clinch the title. The women's team is scheduled to face the second-placed team from Group B on Friday, October 30.
Meanwhile, the men's team will keep their momentum going as they prepare to face Tanzania on Tuesday, October 27.