Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026: India's Men and Women Crush Opponents
India's men and women kabaddi teams secure dominant victories over Uganda and Singapore at the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad.
The inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 kicked off with a masterclass in dominance by the host nation. On Saturday, at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Naranpura, Ahmedabad, both the Indian men's and women's teams registered emphatic victories, sending a strong message to their competitors in Gujarat.
Men's Team Outclasses Uganda
The Indian men's squad showcased a balanced attack and a rock-solid defense to secure a 44-30 victory over Uganda. While Uganda managed to keep pace in the raiding department, their defense crumbled under the pressure of the Indian onslaught.
Key Performers in the Men's Match:
- Shivam Patare: The star of the raiding department, tallying eight points (six touch points and two bonus points).
- Naveen Kumar & Bharat: Both contributed six raid points each.
- Aditya Shinde: Added four crucial points to the score.
India's overall score was built on 27 raid points, 11 tackle points, and six all-out points. Defensively, Ajit Pawar led the charge with three tackle points, supported by Nitesh, Yogesh Dahiya, and Deepak S, who each secured two. The disparity in defense was stark, as India recorded 11 successful tackles compared to Uganda's mere three.
For Uganda, Mulaire Daglas was the standout performer with nine raid points, while Okidi Carnold and Sengendo Jimmy contributed five points each. Despite matching India's 27 raid points, Uganda's defensive lapses cost them the match.
Women's Team Dominates Singapore
If the men's match was a victory, the women's encounter was a rout. The Indian women's team delivered a commanding 32-16 performance against Singapore, leaving their opponents struggling to find any footing.
Raiding and Defensive Highlights:
Sakshi spearheaded the raiding effort with six points, followed by Renuka and Anu with four points each, and Nidhi Sharma adding three. The team accumulated a total of 19 raid points, nine tackle points, and four all-out points.
The defensive wall was virtually impenetrable. Suman led the defense with four tackle points, while Muskan Sharma contributed two. Riya Kumari, Sabahi Gadhavi, and Ritu each added one tackle point. In a shocking statistic, Singapore failed to register a single successful tackle throughout the entire match.
Singapore's Arthi Selvan led her team with five raid points, while Anandarajan Sindini and M. Vishwalah Devi contributed four points each, totaling 16 raid points for the side.
What's Next for Team India?
Following these dominant starts, both teams are looking to maintain their momentum on Sunday, October 25:
- Indian Women: Will face Uganda at 6:45 PM.
- Indian Men: Will take on Malaysia at 8:30 PM.