India national kabaddi team

The India men's national kabaddi team represents India in international men's kabaddi competitions. Governed by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), established in 1972, the team is the most successful national kabaddi side in history, having secured gold medals at the Asian Games in eight out of nine editions since the sport's inclusion in 1990.^[1] India has also won all three Kabaddi World Cup (standard style) editions in 2004, 2007, and 2016, defeating Iran in each final,^[2] and the 2025 Kabaddi World Cup organised by World Kabaddi, defeating England 44–41 in the final.^[3] Additionally, the team has won the Asian Kabaddi Championship eight times across nine men's editions.^[4]

India's dominance has been built on deep cultural roots in the sport, structured coaching through the AKFI, and a steady pipeline of talent bolstered by the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) since 2014.^[5] Legendary players such as Rakesh Kumar, Anup Kumar, and Ajay Thakur have shaped the team's legacy, while current stars like Pawan Sehrawat and Pardeep Narwal continue to maintain India's supremacy.^[6] Pawan Sehrawat is the current captain of the team since 2022.^[7]

Kabaddi, an indigenous contact sport originating in ancient India, traces its roots to prehistoric times, with references in Hindu epics like the Mahabharata.^[8] The game's modern standardised form emerged in the early 20th century, particularly in Maharashtra, where basic rules were formalised in 1921 and refined in 1923. These developments enabled the inaugural All India Kabaddi Tournament in 1923, marking the shift from informal rural contests to structured competitions.^[9]

The formation of the All India Kabaddi Federation in 1950 was a pivotal step in institutionalising the sport, compiling uniform rules and promoting it across the country. This was followed by the launch of the Senior National Kabaddi Championship in 1952, which served as a key platform for identifying talent. In 1972, the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) was established, replacing the earlier body and gaining affiliation with the Indian Olympic Association, thereby enhancing governance and resources for player development.^[9]

Early international exposure for Indian kabaddi players began with a demonstration at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where a team from the Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal in Amravati, Maharashtra, showcased the sport during a physical education congress.^[8] The sport appeared as a demonstration event at the 1951 Asian Games in New Delhi, providing further visibility. The first formal test series involving a representative Indian team occurred in 1974, when India toured Bangladesh for a five-match bilateral series, winning 4–1.^[10] A further demonstration at the 1982 Asian Games set the stage for kabaddi's inclusion as a medal sport in 1990.^[8]

The Indian national kabaddi team began establishing its international presence through the inaugural Asian Kabaddi Championship, held in Calcutta in 1980, where India secured the gold medal by defeating Bangladesh in the final.^[9] This victory marked the start of India's dominance in the regional competition, followed by another gold in 1988 in Jaipur, again overcoming Bangladesh.^[4] Kabaddi also gained visibility as a demonstration sport at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi, contributing to the sport's inclusion as a full medal event in subsequent editions.^[9]

Kabaddi was contested at the Asian Games as a competitive sport for the first time in 1990. India beat Bangladesh in the gold medal match at both the 1990 Asian Games and 1994 Asian Games.^[1] India lost to Pakistan in the 1993 South Asian Games gold medal match. In the 1998 Asian Games held in Bangkok, the team beat arch rivals Pakistan for the gold medal, establishing an unbroken streak of three Asian Games victories.^[9][11]

Entering the 2000s, India's dominance intensified. India beat Bangladesh in the gold medal match of the 2002 Asian Games, held in Busan.^[12] India won the inaugural Kabaddi World Cup in 2004 in Mumbai, beating Iran by a 55–27 margin. They repeated the feat three years later in Panvel, beating the Iranians 29–19.^[13] At the 2006 Asian Games, India beat Pakistan 35–23 to win their fifth consecutive gold medal at the tournament.^[14] These triumphs, often against strong regional foes like Iran and Pakistan, were bolstered by the AKFI's structured coaching and national camps, transforming kabaddi from a regional pastime into India's flagship contact sport.

The modern era has been marked by sustained dominance bolstered by the professionalisation of the sport through the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), which launched in 2014 and provided a high-profile platform for talent development and exposure.^[5] In the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games, India continued to dominate, winning gold on both occasions—defeating Iran 37–20 in the 2010 final and overcoming Iran 27–25 in 2014 to secure their seventh consecutive title.^[15][16] The PKL's influence became evident as national team players like Anup Kumar and Ajay Thakur transitioned seamlessly between league and international duties.^[5]

When the Kabaddi World Cup resumed in 2016 after a nine-year hiatus, India beat Iran for the third final in a row by 38–29 at Ahmedabad's TransStadia Arena.^[17][18]

In 2017, India won the Asian Kabaddi Championship led by raider Ajay Thakur with raider Pardeep Narwal bagging a super 10, beating Pakistan in the final by 36–22.^[19] India won the 2018 Dubai Kabaddi Masters tournament, beating Iran 44–26 in the final.^[20]

A rare setback occurred at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. India lost to South Korea 23–24 in the group stages—the team's first ever loss in Asian Games history. Despite the loss, India qualified for the semi-finals but lost 27–18 to Iran, who went on to win the gold, leaving India with bronze.^[21][22]

India won the gold at the 2019 South Asian Games led by Deepak Niwas Hooda, beating Sri Lanka in the final by 51–18, with raiders Pawan Sehrawat, Naveen Kumar, and Pardeep Narwal.^[23]

The Indian team did not play in any tournaments for a prolonged period from December 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. India's resurgence began in 2023, when they won the Asian Kabaddi Championship by defeating Iran 42–32 in the final.^[24] India then reasserted supremacy at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where the men's team defeated Iran 33–29 in the final to claim their eighth gold, avenging the 2018 loss.^[25]

In March 2025, the men's team clinched the 2025 Kabaddi World Cup in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom, organised by World Kabaddi, with a narrow 44–41 win over host nation England in the final.^[3][26]

The Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) serves as the apex national governing body for kabaddi in India, regulating all forms of the sport including circle, national, indoor, and beach variants. Established in 1972, it succeeded the earlier All India Kabaddi Federation (formed in 1950). Headquartered in Jaipur, Rajasthan, AKFI is affiliated with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF), and the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF), enabling India's participation in continental and global events.^[27][28][29]

AKFI's primary objectives include organising domestic competitions, enforcing standardised rules, and fostering player development from grassroots to elite levels through collaborations with state-level associations. It conducts key events such as the Senior National Kabaddi Championship and Junior National Championships, which serve as platforms for talent scouting and selection for the national teams.^[30][31]

In 2024, AKFI faced a temporary suspension from the IKF, barring Indian teams from global competitions due to administrative disputes, which was resolved following judicial intervention.^[32] Governance challenges led to the appointment of Justice (Retd.) S.P. Garg as administrator by the Delhi High Court in 2018. On 6 February 2025, the Supreme Court of India directed the administrator to transfer control back to the elected executive committee, and the handover was completed, leading to the IKF lifting the suspension in March 2025.^[33][34]

The India national kabaddi team represents the country in two primary variants of the sport: Standard style and Circle style.

Standard style, also known as the international or mat-based format, is played on a rectangular 13 m × 10 m court with seven players per side in 40-minute matches divided into two 20-minute halves. This variant is governed internationally by the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) and forms the basis for major competitions like the Asian Games and the Kabaddi World Cup (standard style).^[35][36]

Circle style, often referred to as Punjabi or traditional outdoor kabaddi, is contested on a large circular field approximately 70 m in circumference without a mat, focusing on athleticism, speed, and direct confrontations. This variant is overseen by the Amateur Circle Kabaddi Federation of India (ACKFI) and is prominently featured in the Kabaddi World Cup (circle style).^[37][38]

The Kabaddi World Cup, organised by the International Kabaddi Federation, is the premier international tournament in the standard style of kabaddi. India has participated in all editions held to date and maintained an undefeated record through 2016, securing victory in every final against Iran.^[2][39]

The inaugural men's Kabaddi World Cup in 2004, held in Mumbai, featured five teams. India topped Pool A before clinching the title with a commanding 55–27 victory over Iran in the final.^[40] The 2007 edition, expanded to 14 teams and hosted in Panvel, saw India defeat Iran 29–19 in the final.^[41] In 2016, India staged a comeback from a halftime deficit to beat Iran 38–29 in the final at Ahmedabad.^[42]

The India national kabaddi team has achieved unparalleled dominance at the Asian Games, where kabaddi was introduced as a medal discipline in 1990 for men. The men's team has secured gold medals in eight out of nine editions contested through 2022, including a streak of seven consecutive golds from 1990 to 2014, interrupted only by a bronze medal in 2018 before reclaiming the top spot in 2022.^[1][43][44]

The Asian Kabaddi Championship, organised by the Asian Kabaddi Federation, serves as a key competition for senior national kabaddi teams across Asia. India has achieved remarkable dominance, capturing the championship in eight out of nine editions up to 2023, with the only loss occurring in 2003 when Iran emerged victorious.^[45][46]

The men's team has secured gold medals across multiple editions of the South Asian Games, with 10 golds and one silver, underscoring India's unchallenged position among South Asian nations. At the 2019 edition in Kathmandu, the men's squad culminated with a decisive 51–18 victory over Sri Lanka in the final to claim their 10th title.^[47]

In 2024, the Indian national kabaddi team was barred from all international competitions following the suspension of the AKFI by the IKF due to governance disputes and delays in federation elections. This ban extended to events such as the inaugural Senior World Beach Kabaddi Championship held in September in Iran.^[48][49][50]

The ban was lifted in May 2025 after resolutions in AKFI's executive structure.^[51] Prior to the lift, in March 2025, the men's team participated in the 2025 Kabaddi World Cup organised by World Kabaddi in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom (not sanctioned by the IKF), clinching the title with a 44–41 win over host nation England in the final. The group stage included a 64–22 opening win over Italy and a 64–64 draw against Scotland.^[3][52][53]

India's youth programmes also excelled in 2025. At the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain in October, the U-18 boys' team defeated Iran 35–32 in the final to claim gold, while the U-18 girls' team defeated Iran 75–21.^[54][55]

^[56][57]

The following squad was selected for the 2025 Kabaddi World Cup, where India secured the championship title by defeating England 44–41 in the final.^[58][59]

The following squad members have been prominent in recent international selections for IKF-sanctioned events:

As of November 2025, no official updates to the senior squad have been announced for upcoming IKF-sanctioned events like the 2026 Asian Games, with selections typically drawn from national coaching camps.^[28]

The coaching staff is appointed by the AKFI for national coaching camps and international competitions.^[28]

The India national kabaddi team does not have a single designated home ground but relies on a network of premier indoor stadiums and sports complexes across the country for hosting trials, training camps, and international competitions.^[60]

The Indian national kabaddi team primarily utilises training facilities managed by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), which oversees a network of National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) and regional centres dedicated to elite athlete development. These facilities provide specialised infrastructure for kabaddi, including indoor mats, strength and conditioning gyms, physiotherapy units, and boarding accommodations.^[61][62]

A key hub for kabaddi training is the SAI NCOE at Gandhinagar, Gujarat, which is explicitly designated for kabaddi alongside handball and kho-kho. In 2025, a senior women's national coaching camp was held here from 27 October to 13 November, selecting probable players for upcoming events.^[63][64]

Additional national coaching camps occur at other SAI regional centres, including the Northern Regional Centre in Sonepat, Haryana, which has hosted youth and senior camps, and the SAI Southern Centre in Bengaluru, Karnataka, which offers advanced sports science support including biomechanics labs.^[65][66]

• World Cup – Standard style:
  • Champions (3): 2004, 2007, 2016
• Kabaddi World Cup (World Kabaddi):
  • Champions (2): 2019, 2025
• World Cup – Circle style:
  • Champions (6): 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016
  • Runners-up (1): 2020

• Asian Kabaddi Championship:
  • Champions (8): 1980, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2017, 2023
• Asian Games:
  • Gold Medal (8): 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2022
  • Bronze Medal (1): 2018
• Asian Beach Games:
  • Gold Medal (2): 2008, 2010
  • Silver Medal (1): 2016
  • Bronze Medal (2): 2012, 2014
• Dubai Kabaddi Masters:
  • Champions (1): 2018

• South Asian Games:
  • Gold Medal (10): 1985, 1987, 1989, 1995, 1999, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2016, 2019
  • Silver Medal (1): 1993

Indian players representing the national kabaddi team have earned numerous individual honours, primarily through India's National Sports Awards, recognising excellence in performance, leadership, and contributions to the sport.^[67]

The Arjuna Award, India's second-highest sporting honour, has been conferred on 37 kabaddi players as of 2024, with many recipients being key members of the national team. Notable recipients include Sahanand Mahadev Shetty, the first kabaddi player to receive it in 1972; Ajay Thakur in 2019; Anup Kumar in 2012; and Pawan Sehrawat in 2023.^[6][68][69] Other prominent awardees include Rakesh Kumar (2005), Manjeet Chhillar (2015), Jasvir Singh (2017), and Deepak Niwas Hooda (2020).

Two national team players have received the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award: Sunil Dabas in 2014 and Ajay Thakur in 2019.^[6]

The Dhyan Chand Award for lifetime achievement has honoured several retired national team players, including Shamsher Singh (2007), Manpreet Singh (2020), Vikas Kumar (2021), and BC Suresh (2022).^[67][6]

Rakesh Kumar guided the men's team to gold medals at the Asian Games in 2006 and 2010.^[70] Anup Kumar, nicknamed "Captain Cool", led the team to gold at the 2014 Asian Games and the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup.^[71] Ajay Thakur captained the side through the 2018 Asian Games before retiring from international play in late 2024.^[72] Deepak Niwas Hooda led the squad to gold at the 2022 Asian Games.^[73] Pawan Sehrawat, known as the "Hi-Flyer", has been captain since 2023.^[74]

• Rakesh Kumar – A versatile all-rounder from Haryana, he played a pivotal role in India's gold medal wins at the 2004 and 2007 Kabaddi World Cups and contributed to three Asian Games golds (2006, 2010, 2014). Received the Arjuna Award in 2011.^[75]
• Anup Kumar – Known as "Captain Cool", he contributed to gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games and guided the team to the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup victory. Arjuna Award recipient (2012).^[76]
• Ajay Thakur – A prolific raider from Himachal Pradesh, he was instrumental in India's 2014 Asian Games gold and the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup victory. Received the Arjuna Award in 2019 and Padma Shri in 2019.^[77]
• Pardeep Narwal – Dubbed the "Dubki King" for his evasive raiding style, he contributed to gold medals at the 2014 Asian Games and 2016 Kabaddi World Cup, with over 50 international raid points in major tournaments.^[78]

• Pawan Sehrawat – Team captain since 2022, known for his explosive speed and do-or-die raids. Led India to the 2022 Asian Games gold and the 2023 Asian Kabaddi Championship title.^[79]
• Arjun Deshwal – One of India's premier raiders, topping Pro Kabaddi League raid points charts in multiple seasons and contributing to the 2023 Asian Kabaddi Championship triumph.^[80]
• Naveen Kumar – Known for his relentless raiding, he was a headline performer at the 2022 Asian Games with do-or-die raids that helped India maintain an unbeaten run to gold.^[81]
• Sunil Kumar – Tactical defensive anchor who has served as vice-captain, recording a tackle success rate above 70% during the 2022 Asian Games.^[82]
• Nitesh Kumar – Known for his super tackle expertise, earning acclaim for game-turning defensive plays in the 2022 Asian Games gold medal run.^[83]

• India women's national kabaddi team
• Pro Kabaddi League
• Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India
• Kabaddi at the Asian Games

• Official website
• Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India official website