NAGOYA: India began the defence of their men's kabaddi title at the 2026 Asian Games with a commanding 49–24 win over hosts Japan in their opening Group A fixture at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium on Monday.
Under captain Sunil Kumar, India asserted authority from the opening whistle, with Ashu Malik's three-point Super Raid setting the tone early. He was ably supported by star raiders Arjun Deshwal, Devank Dalal and Ayan Lohchab as the Indian team mounted the pressure.
The Indians kept the Japanese raiding unit in check throughout the first half, inflicting three All-Outs for six points in addition to racking up 24 out points of their own.
Japan struggled to generate any sustained momentum against India's defensive combinations, managing just five touch points and leaning on four bonus points to stay on the scoreboard. By the break, India held an unassailable 22-point lead at 31-9.
The Indian defence refused to let the contest slip, inflicting a fourth All-Out and showing clutch awareness with a timely Super Tackle while down on numbers to snuff out any hope of a comeback. India's offence had already done the bulk of the damage early, with direct dismissals accounting for 36 of their 49 points, against a Japanese attack that drew more than a third of its total from the bonus line.
Women cruise past B'desh
The Indian women's kabaddi team, also defending their gold medal from 2023, got off to a flier beating neighbours Bangladesh 42-21 in their first match on the day. Sanju Devi leads India’s attacking charge as the defending champions overcome Bangladesh 42-21 to make a winning start to their gold-medal defence
India established early control, making it difficult for Bangladesh to reach the bonus line while regularly finding points through successful raids. Bangladesh Captain Sraboni Mollick kept her side on the scoreboard, but India’s defence continued to limit their opportunities. The holders carried the same intensity into the second half, with Sanju Devi and Pooja finding quick hand touches and the defence maintaining a high line to put pressure on Bangladesh’s raiders. The approach paid off as India inflicted another All-Out, while Sanju Devi continued to keep the scoreboard moving with successful raids.
Bangladesh mounted a brief fightback with Sraboni and the other raiders stringing together consecutive points, while their defence also began to slow India’s momentum. The gap narrowed with five minutes remaining, but India responded through Sanju Devi, who produced a series of successful raids to restore a sizeable advantage and close out a comfortable 42-21 victory.
The women's team will face a tough test against Iran at 8:30 am on Wednesday.
