India’s men’s kabaddi team will begin its Asian Games 2026 campaign in Aichi-Nagoya with a mix of proven performers and emerging talent, and captain Sunil Kumar believes the team’s extensive preparation will be key to its title challenge.
The 27-year-old right-corner defender, who was part of India’s gold-medal winning side at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2022, will lead a 12-member squad that includes four players from that triumphant campaign — Sunil, Arjun Deshwal, Aslam Inamdar and Pawan Sehrawat.
The squad also features several established Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) performers, including Ashu Malik, Jaideep Dahiya, Devank Dalal and Rahul Sethpal, while young talent such as Ayan Lohchab adds to the team’s depth.
India’s preparations began well in advance of the Asian Games, with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the kabaddi federation conducting camps over the past six to eight months. The extended training period has allowed the players to work on combinations, tactical plans, fitness and individual skills.
“The preparation has been very good because our federation and SAI started our camp six to eight months ago. We have planned the team combination and strategy well,” Sunil told .
The team initially trained at SAI Bengaluru before moving to Bellary and subsequently to SAI Gandhinagar for its current camp.
According to Sunil, the long preparation period has helped the players develop a clear understanding of their roles and strengthen their combinations ahead of the continental competition.
The squad also brings considerable leadership experience, with eight of the 12 players serving as captains or vice-captains of their respective PKL teams in Season 12.
Defending India’s kabaddi legacy:
India have enjoyed a dominant record in men’s kabaddi at the Asian Games, and Sunil is keen to ensure the current generation continues that tradition.
Having experienced the gold-medal winning campaign at Hangzhou, the captain sees the presence of four members from that squad as an important source of experience.
“Our senior players gave the team a different identity and brought so many gold medals for India. We want to maintain that legacy, add another gold medal to India’s tally and follow the path that our legends have created,” Sunil said.
The captain believes India possess strength in both the raiding and defensive departments, but stressed that success will depend on collective performance rather than individual brilliance.
“You cannot win just by one person’s effort. This time, our raiding and defence departments are both quite strong. To a large extent, we have the top players in kabaddi in our team, whether you look at the raiders or the defenders,” he said.
Sunil added that the team has worked extensively on its strategy, combinations, fitness and individual skills, with the focus now shifting towards execution once the competition begins.
“We have done all the preparation. We have worked on our strategy, team combination, fitness and individual skills. Now we have to execute all of that properly when the competition comes,” he said.
“The effort of one player will not be enough. Everyone has to contribute. Our raiders, defenders and all-rounders have to work together as one team.”
Sunil’s defensive leadership:
As one of India’s senior defenders, Sunil will have a key role in organising the defensive unit and maintaining communication during crucial phases of matches.
His experience of playing alongside several of India’s leading raiders also gives him an understanding of the team’s combinations and playing patterns.
“We want to maintain the identity that our seniors created for Indian kabaddi, work together as a team and give everything when we give it all at the Asian Games,” Sunil said.
The kabaddi competition at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will be held at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium in Tokai City, Aichi Prefecture. The competition begins on September 21, with the men’s and women’s finals scheduled for September 26.
With an experienced core, a strong blend of PKL performers and months of preparation behind them, India will now look to convert that groundwork into another Asian Games gold-medal campaign.
