Kabaddi Asian Games 2026: 9 KCL players in India squad, Balwan Singh named head coach
Synopsis
Three-quarters of India's kabaddi squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan have come through one domestic league — the KCL. With Dronacharya Awardee Balwan Singh now doubling as both KCL chairman and national head coach, the league's grip on Indian kabaddi's pipeline has never been more visible.
Key Takeaways
9 of 12 players in India's kabaddi squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan have emerged from the Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) ecosystem.
Dronacharya Awardee Balwan Singh , also KCL chairman, has been named India's head coach for the Asian Games.
Star raider Ashu Malik (Hisar Heroes) is among the KCL players selected for the national squad.
Other KCL representatives include Sunil Malik , Ayan Lauchab , Devank Dalal , Rahul Setpal , Jaideep Dahiya , and Ankit Jaglan .
The selection is being viewed as a landmark achievement for the KCL's role as a feeder pathway for Indian kabaddi.
Nine of the 12 players selected for India's kabaddi squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan have emerged from the Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) ecosystem, the league confirmed on 25 August. Dronacharya Awardee Balwan Singh, who also serves as KCL chairman, will lead the national team as head coach at the continental showpiece.
Ashu Malik on Wearing the India Jersey
Star raider Ashu Malik, who represents Hisar Heroes in the KCL, said the honour of pulling on the national colours was beyond description. 'Wearing the India jersey is an emotion that cannot be expressed in words. I am thankful for the opportunities that have shaped my journey and will give my 100 per cent for India,' he said.
Malik's selection caps a domestic career built substantially through the KCL's franchise circuit, which has increasingly served as a feeder pathway for international kabaddi.
KCL Players Named in the Squad
Alongside Malik, five other KCL franchise players earned their places in the 12-member India squad: Sunil Malik of Karnal Kings, Ayan Lauchab of Sonipat Stars, Devank Dalal of Bhiwani Bulls, Rahul Setpal of Gurugram Gurus, Jaideep Dahiya of Faridabad Fighters, and Ankit Jaglan of Panipat Panthers.
Sunil Malik called it the biggest honour of his life. 'Representing India is the biggest honour of my life. My journey through KCL has given me valuable experience and confidence. I am extremely proud to carry the KCL legacy onto the international stage and will give my best for the Tricolour,' he said.
Players Reflect on the Journey
Ayan Lauchab described his selection as a dream realised. 'It is a dream come true to represent India at the Asian Games. KCL has provided me with an important platform to develop as a player. I am grateful for the support and determined to make my country and KCL proud,' he said.
Devank Dalal pointed to what the moment means beyond sport. 'This is a very special moment for me and my family. The opportunity to represent India at the Asian Games is something every athlete dreams of. I will give everything on the mat and try to bring glory to the nation,' Dalal said.
Rahul Setpal credited the league's competitive environment for his growth. 'The Asian Games is a massive platform and I am honoured to be part of Team India. My KCL experience has helped me grow, and I am looking forward to giving my best for the country,' he said.
Jaideep Dahiya reflected on the arc from franchise kabaddi to the national team. 'The journey from KCL to representing India has been extremely special. I am proud of where this journey has taken me and will work hard to make the entire KCL family and India proud,' Dahiya said. Ankit Jaglan added, 'Representing India is a proud moment for every athlete. I am excited about the challenge ahead and will give my best every time I step onto the mat.'
What KCL's Representation Signals
The presence of nine KCL players in a 12-member national squad is being widely viewed as a landmark for the league and its franchise partners. It underlines KCL's growing role as a structured competitive pathway — from grassroots domestic talent to the highest continental stage.
Notably, Balwan Singh's dual role as KCL chairman and India head coach further cements the league's institutional influence over the national programme. The 2026 Asian Games will be held in Japan, and India will enter as one of the sport's traditional powerhouses.
Point of View
It stops being a coincidence and becomes a structural story. The KCL has quietly done what many franchise leagues promise but rarely deliver — a credible pipeline from domestic competition to international selection. The more pointed question is whether this concentration is healthy: India's kabaddi depth should ideally draw from multiple competitive ecosystems, not one. Balwan Singh's dual role as KCL chairman and national head coach also raises governance questions that the sport's administrators would do well to address transparently before the Asian Games.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Indian kabaddi players have been selected for the 2026 Asian Games?
India's 12-member kabaddi squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan includes KCL players Ashu Malik, Sunil Malik, Ayan Lauchab, Devank Dalal, Rahul Setpal, Jaideep Dahiya, and Ankit Jaglan, among others. Nine of the twelve players have emerged from the Kabaddi Champions League ecosystem.
Who is the head coach of India's kabaddi team for the 2026 Asian Games?
Dronacharya Awardee Balwan Singh has been named head coach of India's kabaddi team for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. Singh also serves as chairman of the Kabaddi Champions League.
What is the Kabaddi Champions League (KCL)?
The Kabaddi Champions League is a domestic franchise-based competition in India that fields teams from Haryana cities including Hisar, Karnal, Sonipat, Bhiwani, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Panipat. It has emerged as a significant competitive pathway for Indian kabaddi players aspiring to national selection.
Where will the 2026 Asian Games be held?
The 2026 Asian Games will be held in Japan. Kabaddi is one of the traditional medal sports at the Games, and India has historically been among the top contenders.
Why is KCL's representation in the India squad significant?
Having nine of twelve national squad members emerge from one domestic league signals that the KCL has built a credible talent pipeline. It positions the league as a primary feeder for Indian kabaddi at the international level, a milestone for a franchise competition that is still relatively young.
