India solidified its standing as a global powerhouse in kabaddi by securing a historic double at the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026. The tournament, hosted in Ahmedabad, concluded on Saturday with the Indian men’s team claiming the championship title after a decisive 54-20 victory against Sri Lanka. This achievement followed the earlier success of the women’s team, which clinched their own gold medal by defeating Uganda with a score of 35-15.
The men’s final saw a commanding performance from the home side, who established an early 15-8 lead. By the half-time whistle, the Indian squad had extended their advantage to 30-10, effectively stifling any attempts at a comeback from the Sri Lankan team. Throughout the match, India’s strategic execution allowed them to inflict four All-Outs on their opponents, maintaining relentless pressure on both ends of the mat.
Aditya Shinde emerged as the top performer for India, spearheading the attack with 10 raid points. His efforts were bolstered by Bharat Hooda, who contributed eight points entirely during the second half, and Pankaj Mohite, who added six points to the tally. Vice-captain Naveen Kumar also played a vital role, chipping in with five points. On the defensive front, Yogesh Dahiya delivered an exceptional performance, successfully securing five tackle points without missing a single attempt during the entirety of the match.
Sri Lanka struggled to counter India's tactical superiority, with their raiders managing a total of only 11 points throughout the contest. Despite a commendable effort from Maduwantha, who secured six tackle points for his side, the team was unable to withstand India’s offensive onslaught. The final scoreline reflected the disparity in performance between the two teams on the day.
This victory capped off an impeccable campaign for the Indian men's team, who concluded the tournament with an undefeated record. Having played eight matches throughout the championship, the team secured eight consecutive victories. Their journey to the final included topping Group A with six wins and a dominant 56-27 victory over Bangladesh in the semifinal stage. By the end of the competition, India had accumulated a total of 380 points while conceding only 193, demonstrating a significant level of dominance over the field.
Reflecting on the success of the championship and the enthusiastic reception in Ahmedabad, Aditya Shinde expressed gratitude for the local support. He noted that the increasing frequency of such tournaments is beneficial for the sport and the region. He further remarked that the team felt encouraged by the crowd's involvement and expressed optimism that fans would continue to offer similar support in future competitions. Celebrations among the team and their supporters were already underway following the conclusion of the final.
The inaugural event has set a high standard for future Commonwealth Kabaddi Championships, with India establishing itself as the inaugural men's champion. The successful execution of the tournament and the historic double by the Indian squads serve to highlight the growing popularity and competitive nature of the sport on an international level. As the team moves forward, the focus remains on maintaining this momentum in upcoming international fixtures and continuing the development of the sport across the country.
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