Asian Games 2026: India’s Kabaddi Teams Chase an 8th Straight Gold

India’s kabaddi teams have opened their Asian Games 2026 campaign in Nagoya exactly the way history would predict: dominantly. The men’s team thrashed hosts Japan 49-24, while the women’s side beat Bangladesh 42-21, both statement wins on the opening day of competition.

The men’s team is chasing a remarkable seventh consecutive Asian Games gold in kabaddi, a run of dominance unmatched by any team in the sport’s history at the Games.

Asian Games 2026: Squads to Watch

India’s men’s raiding unit features Ashu Malik, Ayan Lohchab, Devank Dalal and Arjun Deshwal, backed by a defensive core led by captain Sunil Kumar alongside Jaideep Dahiya, Rahul Sethpal, Gaurav Khatri, Sumit Sangwan and Ankit Jaglan. All-rounders Pawan Sehrawat and Aslam Inamdar add further balance to a squad built for both attacking flair and defensive solidity.

The women’s squad, led by a deep and experienced roster including Ritu Negi, Pushpa Rana, Sonali Shingate, Sanju Devi, Pooja Kajla and Ritu Sheoran, has similarly been tipped to challenge for gold after their opening statement win over Bangladesh.

A Legacy of Dominance

India’s men’s kabaddi team has won every single gold medal on offer at the Asian Games since the sport’s introduction, a run of seven consecutive titles that stands as one of the most dominant streaks by any nation in any sport at the Games. That history places significant pressure on the current squad, but early results suggest the team is well placed to extend the streak into an eighth gold in Nagoya.

With both squads carrying deep benches of raiders and defenders, India will look to carry this early momentum through the group stage and into the knockout rounds later in the competition.

Stay with TechnoSports for full Asian Games 2026 coverage as India’s kabaddi campaign continues in Nagoya.

Kabaddi remains one of India’s most reliable medal sources at the Asian Games, and a comfortable group stage would set up a favourable path toward the semifinals for both squads. With South Korea, Iran and Chinese Taipei all fielding competitive units this year, India’s coaching staff will be wary of complacency even after two dominant opening wins, particularly given how physically demanding a long tournament schedule can become over consecutive matchdays.

Source: Khel Now; background via Wikipedia