Indian Kabaddi Team Prepares for 2026 Asian Games Under Captain Sunil Kumar

Indian Kabaddi Team Gears Up for Asian Games

The Indian Kabaddi squad is currently training at the SAI campus in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, as they get ready for the upcoming 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

Sunil Kumar, the team's captain and holder of the record for the most victories in Pro Kabaddi League history with 87 wins across teams like Gujarat Giants, Jaipur Pink Panthers, and U Mumba, expressed that leading the team feels like a natural progression rather than a burden. He emphasized that the extensive preparation has made the team feel ready.

Reflecting on the honor of representing India, Sunil stated, "It's a proud moment not just for me but for everyone who has supported me, including my family and mentors. Being captain brings added responsibility, but with our preparation, I feel confident rather than pressured."

The strength and conditioning camp held at the IIS center in Bellary, organized by AKFI in partnership with Mashal Sports, has been crucial in their training. Sunil noted that this phase has significantly improved their performance.

He remarked, "A player's fitness directly impacts their performance on the mat. At IIS Bellary, we focused on our weaknesses, worked on them individually, and optimized our nutrition. This foundational work has made a substantial difference."

Sunil also highlighted the role of the Pro Kabaddi League in developing the team, stating, "PKL has provided our players with an unprecedented platform. Competing against international raiders and defenders in high-pressure situations for 2-3 months each year has built our confidence for the international stage." He recalled captaining the Jaipur Pink Panthers to victory in Season 9 of 2022 as a career highlight.

With the expectation of winning gold at the Asian Games, Sunil acknowledged the pressure that comes with it. He said, "In Kabaddi, anything less than gold is not acceptable. There is pressure because many great players have worn this jersey before us, but we draw confidence from our predecessors who have achieved gold, and we believe we can follow in their footsteps."

Looking ahead, Sunil identified Iran as their main competitor, stating, "Iran has been our toughest opponent over the last three Asian Games. We narrowly won in 2014, lost in 2018, and won again in 2023. It would be significant to defeat them again, ideally by a strong margin."

The Indian Kabaddi Team for the 2026 Asian Games includes: Sunil Kumar (captain), Pawan Sehrawat, Ankit Jaglan, Aslam Inamdar, Ashu Malik, Ayan Lohchab, Devank Dalal, Arjun Deshwal, Jaideep Dahiya, Rahul Sethpal, Gaurav Khatri, and Sumit Sangwan.