Indian Women's Kabaddi Team Prepares for 2026 Asian Games with High Hopes

The Indian women's Kabaddi team is gearing up for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with captain Pushpa Rana and teammate Pooja Kajla expressing their determination to defend their gold medal. The team has been preparing rigorously, analyzing opponents and focusing on improvement areas. With a rich history of success in Kabaddi, the players view the expectations as motivation. They aim to inspire future generations of female athletes while competing against teams like Chinese Taipei. The tournament begins on September 21, and the team is ready to make their mark.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 17, 2026, 00:10 IST

Indian Women's Kabaddi Team Gears Up for Asian Games

New Delhi, September 16: As the Indian women's Kabaddi team readies itself for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, captain Pushpa Rana and teammate Pooja Kajla express their determination to defend the nation's gold medal. They are motivated and focused on achieving the top position.

Rana, who leads the 12-member squad, mentioned that the team has been diligently preparing by studying their opponents and addressing areas for improvement highlighted by their coaching staff.

“We practice based on the situations we expect to face. We also review match footage to learn from our past performances. Our coaches guide us on what we need to enhance, and we are actively working on those aspects. I believe our team is well-prepared,” Rana stated.

Kabaddi has a rich history of success at the Asian Games, with India securing 11 gold medals, including three in the women's category. The team aims to defend the gold medal they won in Hangzhou, where they narrowly defeated Chinese Taipei 26-25 in the final. Additionally, the Indian women's team triumphed at the World Cup last November, and Rana views the expectation to win as a source of motivation rather than pressure.

“I feel that motivation. Our seniors have set a high standard, and it’s our responsibility to continue that legacy. We see it as motivation, not pressure. We are committed to maintaining that momentum,” she added.

Rana emphasized the value of experience within the team as she embarks on her first captaincy role. Drawing from her time as vice-captain, she relies on the support of seasoned players like Ritu Negi and Sonali Shingate to foster team unity.

“I depend heavily on the seniors, as they have leadership experience. Their insights are crucial for me,” Rana remarked. She also pointed out that Chinese Taipei is a formidable opponent, recalling their close match in the last Asian Games.

For Arjuna awardee Pooja Kajla, winning another gold at the Asian Games is not just about victory; it’s about inspiring future generations of female athletes.

“Winning gold at the Asian Games is vital. Just like the girls in the Cricket World Cup, younger girls look up to us. If we succeed, it will encourage them to pursue sports,” Kajla explained.

Kajla praised the team's preparation at a strength and conditioning camp organized by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) in collaboration with Mashal Sports, the Pro Kabaddi League organizers, which has helped players develop better recovery and performance habits.

“We received additional training on sleep and recovery, which was very beneficial,” she noted.

The Kabaddi events at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will kick off on September 21, with India’s women facing Bangladesh in their first Group A match. They will also compete against Iran on September 23 and Japan on September 24, leading up to the semi-finals on September 25 and the gold medal match on September 26.

Indian Women’s Kabaddi Team for the 2026 Asian Games includes: Pushpa Rana (captain), Ritu Negi, Sonali Shingate, Sanju Devi, Pooja Kajla, Ritu Sheoran, Jyoti Thakur, Pinki Roy, Manisha Kumari, Bhavna Thakur, Raj Rani, and Nikita Kumari.