Sunil Kumar steers prepared Indian kabaddi stars toward Asian gold.
India will field a formidable 12-member men's kabaddi contingent at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, anchored by months of rigorous conditioning and tactical alignment. Right defender Sunil Kumar, 27, leads the national side after previously anchoring the gold-winning run at Hangzhou 2022. Tournament action begins on September 21 at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium in Tokai City, with the championship finals set for September 26.
Ever since kabaddi gained medal status at the Beijing 1990 Asian Games, Indian teams have established near-total dominance on the continental stage by claiming eight men's titles. Maintaining that standard requires deliberate teamwork, according to the skipper.
Squad cohesion stems from early logistical backing by the national federation and the Sports Authority of India. Training sessions commenced more than half a year prior to the competition. Players fine-tuned setups during an opening camp at SAI Bengaluru, transferred to Bellary for endurance work, and concluded their tactical rehearsals at SAI Gandhinagar.
Eight athletes in the current roster serve as captains or vice-captains for their respective franchises in Pro Kabaddi League Season 12. Four veterans from the Hangzhou championship roster return for this campaign, including Sunil, Pawan Sehrawat, Arjun Deshwal, and Aslam Inamdar. Established figures such as Ashu Malik, Jaideep Dahiya, Devank Dalal, and Rahul Sethpal share the mat alongside emerging talents like Ayan Lohchab.
Sunil emphasized that individual brilliance alone cannot secure continental honors against elite Asian competition. Both raiding units and defensive lines feature top-tier athletes capable of handling intense pressure. Balanced execution across offensive raids and coordinated tackles will decide each contest. The captain shoulders key responsibility for directing defensive shifts, preventing quick bonus points, and maintaining steady communication when matches tighten. Prior generations created a winning standard, and the current side plans to protect that legacy through collective discipline on the mat.
With Inputs from Agency Threads and Image Courtesy: SAI Media/ANI
