Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026: India Women Storm Into Semifinals After Nigeria Win, Men Complete Double

India’s men’s and women’s teams registered their fourth consecutive victories at the inaugural championship in Ahmedabad, with the women securing a place in the last four after a commanding 38-10 triumph.

India’s men’s and women’s kabaddi teams continued their impressive campaigns at the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026, defeating Nigeria in their respective matches at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad on Monday.

The women registered a comprehensive 38-10 victory to seal their place in the semifinals, while the men followed with a 50-23 win to maintain their unbeaten run. Both teams recorded their fourth victories of the championship, underlining India’s strong start to the competition.

While the women dominated from the opening exchanges to secure their semifinal berth, the men produced another commanding performance, establishing a substantial first-half lead before managing the contest through the closing stages.

India’s women’s team delivered a controlled performance against Nigeria, building a decisive 24-6 advantage by half-time before adding another 14 points in the second half to complete a 38-10 victory. Anu led India’s attacking effort with an outstanding 11 raid points from 17 raids. Her contribution proved central to India’s scoring, as the raiders repeatedly found ways to penetrate Nigeria’s defence.

Sakshi provided valuable support with four raid points, while captain Nidhi Sharma contributed two points. India’s attacking unit maintained its pressure throughout the contest, leaving Nigeria with limited opportunities to make a sustained comeback.

The defensive effort was equally important in restricting Nigeria to just 10 points. Sabhai Gadhavi led the Indian defence with three tackle points, while Priya and Ritu collected two tackle points each. India’s advantage at the interval reflected its control over the match. With an 18-point lead, the team was able to carry its momentum into the second half without allowing Nigeria to threaten its position.

For Nigeria, Robert Moses was the leading raider with six points, while Bassey Edet added two. Dennis Udeme registered Nigeria’s only tackle point as the Indian raiders largely found little resistance. The result confirmed India Women’s progression to the semifinals. They will face the second-placed team from Group B on Friday, October 30, as they look to extend their winning run and move closer to the championship title.

India Men Complete the Double With 50-23 Win

India’s men’s team ensured a successful day for the hosts with a 50-23 victory over Nigeria. The Indian side took control early, racing to a 25-7 lead at half-time and establishing a 18-point cushion. India finished with 31 raid points against Nigeria’s 21, while the hosts also held a clear advantage in tackle points, winning that department 7-2.

Sachin spearheaded the raiding effort with 12 points, while Aditya Shinde contributed 11 raid points to provide another major source of scoring. Pankaj Mohite added eight raid points and two tackle points, combining contributions in both departments. At the back, Surjeet Narwal led the defensive effort with four tackle points. India’s ability to generate points through multiple raiders, while also maintaining defensive control, helped the team build a commanding lead in the opening half.

Nigeria showed greater attacking intent after the break, scoring 16 points in the second half. However, the deficit created before half-time proved too large to overcome, and India remained firmly in control until the final whistle.

Edem Wisdom Ita was Nigeria’s leading scorer with eight raid points. Ekpe Victory Emmanuel contributed six points, comprising five raid points and one tackle point, while Izu Prince Udah added five raid points. Despite Nigeria’s improved second-half output, India’s early advantage and stronger defensive numbers ensured a comfortable finish. The victory marked the men’s team’s fourth win of the championship, keeping its campaign on track.

Monday’s results highlighted the strength of both Indian teams at the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship. The women combined effective raiding with a disciplined defensive display to secure a semifinal place, while the men demonstrated their scoring depth in a convincing win.

The next assignments will come quickly for the two sides. India’s men will face Tanzania on Tuesday, October 27, seeking to extend their winning streak. The women, having already secured a place in the last four, will return to action on Friday, October 30, against the second-placed team from Group B.

With four victories apiece, both Indian teams have made a strong statement at the championship. The focus now shifts to maintaining that consistency as the competition moves towards its decisive stages.