Four victories apiece, two commanding performances and a place in the spotlight for Indian kabaddi. At the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad, the men’s and women’s teams are showing how individual talent and collective effort can take a team forward.
Every sport has moments when one player’s achievement becomes a team’s celebration. In kabaddi, these moments arrive in a matter of seconds. A raider crosses the line, defenders close in, teammates hold their positions, and suddenly a single move can change the course of a match.
For India’s men and women at the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 in Ahmedabad, Monday was one such occasion.
Both teams defeated Nigeria at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex. The women won 38-10, securing their place in the semifinals, while the men registered a 50-23 victory. Both sides recorded their fourth wins of the championship.
The scores tell the story of two convincing performances. But they also offer a glimpse of what makes kabaddi special: the ability of individuals with different strengths to work towards one shared goal.
Anu Leads a Confident Women’s Performance
India’s women’s team approached the contest with purpose from the outset. By half-time, the scoreboard read 24-6 in India’s favour. The players maintained their control after the break, adding another 14 points to complete a comprehensive victory.
Anu was the leading contributor, collecting 11 raid points from 17 raids. Sakshi added four raid points, while captain Nidhi Sharma contributed two.
The defensive effort was equally important. Sabhai Gadhavi scored three tackle points, while Priya and Ritu secured two each.
Kabaddi often celebrates the raider who returns with points, but the game is equally dependent on those who work behind the scenes on the mat. Defenders must anticipate an opponent’s movements, judge the right moment to act and coordinate with their teammates. A successful tackle can be just as decisive as a productive raid.
India’s performance reflected that balance between attack and defence.
The victory also completed the women’s group-stage campaign with four wins from four matches. According to the reported tournament figures, India scored 184 points and conceded 57. An unbeaten record gives the team a strong foundation as it prepares for the knockout stage.
For the players, the next challenge will be to carry that consistency into a match where every point could matter even more.
The Men Make Their Mark
The men’s team ensured that Monday became a memorable day for Indian kabaddi.
India established a 25-7 lead in the first half before finishing the match at 50-23. Its attacking strength was evident in the 31 raid points scored, while seven tackle points reflected the contribution of the defence.
Sachin led the raiding effort with 12 points. Aditya Shinde followed with 11, while Pankaj Mohite contributed eight raid points and two tackle points. Surjeet Narwal topped India’s defensive tally with four tackle points.
Nigeria found greater attacking momentum in the second half, scoring 16 points. India, however, had established a substantial advantage before the interval and maintained its lead through the remainder of the contest.
The victory marked the men’s fourth win of the championship. Their campaign was still under way, with Tanzania scheduled to provide the next test on Tuesday, October 27.
The men’s and women’s performances had a common thread. Different players stepped forward at different moments, but the result depended on the team functioning as a unit.
A Sport That Brings People Together
Kabaddi occupies a special place in India’s sporting heritage. Its appeal lies in the simplicity of its basic ingredients and the extraordinary athleticism required to master them. There is no elaborate equipment to distract from the contest. What matters is physical fitness, quick thinking, anticipation and trust.
Over the years, professional competitions and international tournaments have helped take the sport to wider audiences. The Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship represents another opportunity for players from different countries to compete, learn and contribute to its international development.
Such competitions matter beyond the final score. They give athletes opportunities to test their abilities, gain experience and represent their countries on an international platform. They also introduce audiences to a sport whose roots are deeply connected with India’s sporting traditions.
For young people watching from the stands, at home or on their screens, performances like these can make the prospect of taking up a sport feel more attainable. A player who represents the country today may become the inspiration that encourages another youngster to step onto the mat tomorrow.
That is one of sport’s most enduring contributions. Its influence can continue long after the final whistle.
The Next Chapter Awaits
India’s women’s team will face the second-placed side from Group B in the semifinal scheduled for Friday, October 30. The men’s team is set to face Tanzania on Tuesday, October 27.
The women will carry an unbeaten group-stage record into their next match. The men will look to extend their winning run. Both sides will need to approach the coming challenges with the same discipline and coordination that have brought them this far.
Victories are important, but their lasting value lies in what they make possible: greater confidence, new opportunities and the chance to inspire others.
In Ahmedabad, India’s kabaddi players have given their supporters plenty to celebrate. Their performances have also offered a reminder that success in sport is rarely the work of one individual. It comes from players who understand their roles, support one another and recognise that every contribution matters.
The scoreboard records the points. The team carries the achievement.
And for India’s kabaddi players, there is still more of the story to be written.
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