India Crushes Opponents in Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship Openers
India's men and women's teams start the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad with massive wins over England and Malaysia.
India has signaled its absolute dominance on the mat, kicking off the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship with two powerhouse performances on Friday. Playing on home soil at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, both the men's and women's national squads delivered commanding victories to start their campaigns in spectacular fashion.
Women's Team Outclasses Malaysia
The Indian women's team put on a masterclass in aggression and precision, dismantling Malaysia in a one-sided encounter that ended 73-13. The dominance was evident from the opening whistle, as India surged to an early 20-3 lead, leaving the Malaysian side struggling to find any rhythm.
By the time the first half concluded, India had already established a massive 30-11 advantage. The victory was a collective effort, though several players stood out:
- Sakshi: The top performer of the match with a staggering 13 points.
- Renuka: Contributed 9 raid points.
- Nidhi Sharma: The captain led from the front with 8 raid points.
- Anu: Added 6 points to the tally.
- Karthika Ramesh: Anchored the defense with 6 tackle points.
- Jyoti: Provided crucial support with 4 tackle points.
Men's Squad Outmuscles England
The men's team continued the winning streak by securing a decisive 46-26 victory over England. The match was characterized by strategic raids and a watertight defense, ensuring England remained well behind throughout the contest.
The victory was steered by the leadership of captain Surjeet Singh and vice-captain Naveen Kumar. Kumar was a standout attacker, scoring 12 points, while Neeraj Narwal proved equally lethal with 11 raid points, effectively breaking the English defense.
A Historic Tournament for Global Kabaddi
This inaugural championship, which runs from October 23 to October 31, 2026, represents a significant milestone for the sport. A total of 23 squads from 13 Commonwealth nations are battling it out across 62 matches to claim the title.
The event is organized by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) with the official approval of the International Kabaddi Federation. Jitendra Pran Singh Thakur, General Secretary of the AKFI, expressed that hosting the first-ever Commonwealth Championship is a moment of immense pride for Indian kabaddi and serves as a platform to showcase the sport's global potential.
Road to the Gold
Fans can follow the action live via Star Sports and JioHotstar. As the tournament progresses, the group stages will conclude shortly, leading into the high-stakes semi-finals scheduled for October 30. The journey will culminate in the gold medal finals on October 31, where India will look to cement its legacy as the undisputed king of the mat.