India Men’s Kabaddi Team Ready to Defend Asian Games Gold with New Generation of Stars
India’s men’s kabaddi team will begin its Asian Games 2026 campaign on September 21 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, carrying the weight of a remarkable history and the expectations that come with being the sport’s most successful nation.
The defending champions will open their Group A campaign against hosts Japan at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium before facing the Republic of Korea, Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei in their remaining group-stage matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, with India targeting another appearance in the gold medal match on September 26.
However, this Indian squad will have a different look from the team that won gold at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Only four players from that gold-medal-winning squad have returned, while eight members of the 12-player group are set to make their Asian Games debuts. It marks the beginning of a new chapter for Indian kabaddi, with the Pro Kabaddi League continuing to bring through a fresh generation of raiders, defenders and all-rounders capable of performing on the international stage.
India has named a powerful 12-member squad featuring Ashu Malik, Ayan Lohchab, Devank Dalal, Arjun Deshwal, Sunil Kumar, Jaideep Dahiya, Rahul Sethpal, Gaurav Khatri, Sumit Sangwan, Ankit Jaglan, Pawan Sehrawat and Aslam Inamdar.
The squad offers an impressive combination of youth, recent domestic form and international experience. The biggest strength could be India’s depth in the raiding department. Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 produced several outstanding attacking performances, and India have selected some of the league’s most productive raiders.
Ayan Lohchab, who finished as the leading raider in PKL Season 12 with 316 raid points, will head into the Asian Games as one of the most exciting new faces in the squad. Devank Dalal, second on the season’s raiding charts with 271 points, has also earned his place. They are joined by Arjun Deshwal, who collected 209 raid points during the season, and Ashu Malik, giving India four high-quality options capable of leading the attack.
This depth will allow India to adapt according to the situation and opposition. Kabaddi at the Asian Games can be physically demanding, particularly with multiple matches scheduled over a short period, making squad rotation and tactical flexibility crucial.
Defence brings form and experience.
India’s defensive unit also arrives with strong recent credentials. Sunil Kumar provides valuable international experience and leadership, while Jaideep Dahiya and Gaurav Khatri enter the Asian Games after impressive PKL campaigns. Jaideep finished as the second-highest-scoring defender in PKL Season 12 with 68 tackle points, while Gaurav was fifth with 62 points.
Their ability to stop opposition raiders will be vital, particularly in close matches where one successful tackle can change momentum. Rahul Sethpal, Sumit Sangwan and Ankit Jaglan provide further defensive options, giving India depth across the corners and covers. The squad also features two experienced all-rounders in Pawan Sehrawat and Aslam Inamdar.
Both were part of India’s gold-medal-winning team in Hangzhou and understand the demands of competing at the Asian Games. Their ability to contribute in both raiding and defence could give India important tactical flexibility. For a squad featuring eight debutants, the experience of players like Pawan and Aslam will be especially valuable.
India’s first challenge will come against Japan on September 21. Playing the hosts will bring a different kind of pressure, with Japan expected to have strong local support. India will then face the Republic of Korea on September 22 before taking on Bangladesh on September 23 and Chinese Taipei on September 24.
The group stage will be crucial because only the top two teams progress to the semi-finals. India will therefore need consistency rather than simply one or two strong performances. Bangladesh and the Republic of Korea, both of whom have previous Asian Games kabaddi success, could provide significant challenges. Chinese Taipei have also continued to develop, while Japan will be determined to make an impression on home soil.
The immediate target for India will be a top-two finish in Group A.
From there, the focus will shift to the semi-finals on September 25. Victory in the last four would guarantee another Asian Games medal and secure a place in the final the following day.
Unlike some sports, both losing semi-finalists in kabaddi receive bronze medals, meaning there will be no separate bronze medal match.
Iran remains the biggest threat.
The biggest potential obstacle to India’s title defence is likely to be Iran. Iran remains the only nation apart from India to have won Asian Games kabaddi gold and has consistently emerged as India’s strongest rival at major continental competitions.
India and Iran have been placed in separate groups, meaning they cannot meet during the group stage. A potential India-Iran clash could therefore take place in the semi-finals or final, depending on how the knockout bracket unfolds. India’s record at the Asian Games, however, remains unmatched.
Since kabaddi was introduced to the programme in 1990, India has won eight of the nine men’s gold medals on offer. The only exception came in 2018, when India finished with bronze after Iran claimed the title.
India responded in Hangzhou by reclaiming the gold medal, reinforcing their status as the dominant force in Asian kabaddi. Now, a new generation has the chance to continue that legacy.
With eight Asian Games debutants, a formidable group of Pro Kabaddi League performers and experienced champions such as Pawan Sehrawat and Aslam Inamdar, India will enter Aichi-Nagoya with a clear objective.
Defend the gold.
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