Asian Games 2026: India kabaddi captain Sunil Kumar confident ahead of Aichi-Nagoya
Synopsis
India's kabaddi captain Sunil Kumar has declared his squad ready for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, backed by a six-to-eight-month SAI camp that cycled through Bengaluru, Bellary, and Gandhinagar. With four Hangzhou gold medallists in the mix and a deep Pro Kabaddi League contingent, India enters as the team to beat — and the one every rival has spent years studying.
Key Takeaways
Sunil Kumar , 27 , will captain India's men's kabaddi team at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
India's 12-member squad includes four 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games gold medallists: Sunil Kumar , Arjun Deshwal , Aslam Inamdar , and Pawan Sehrawat .
The team's preparatory camp, run by SAI and the kabaddi federation, started six to eight months in advance across Bengaluru , Bellary , and Gandhinagar .
India's kabaddi competition begins on 21 September , with finals on 26 September at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium , Aichi Prefecture.
India has historically won gold in men's kabaddi at every Asian Games edition since the sport's inclusion.
Indian men's kabaddi team captain Sunil Kumar has expressed confidence that his side is fully prepared for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, crediting an extended six-to-eight-month training programme for sharpening team combinations, tactical clarity, and individual skills ahead of the continental showpiece.
Squad Built on Experience and Fresh Talent
The 27-year-old right defender, who was part of India's gold-medal-winning campaign at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, will captain a 12-member squad that blends seasoned campaigners with emerging stars. Four players from the Hangzhou gold-medal side have been retained: Sunil Kumar, Arjun Deshwal, Aslam Inamdar, and Pawan Sehrawat.
The squad also features established Pro Kabaddi League performers including Ashu Malik, Jaideep Dahiya, Devank Dalal, and Rahul Sethpal, while Ayan Lohchab represents the next generation of Indian kabaddi.
What the Captain Said
Sunil credited the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the national kabaddi federation for initiating the camp well in advance, giving the team ample time to rehearse strategy and build chemistry. '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 said.
He also outlined the training circuit, which moved through multiple SAI facilities: 'We first practised at SAI Bengaluru, then went to Bellary for training, and now our camp is at SAI Gandhinagar.'
On the collective vision, the captain was emphatic: '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.'
The Legacy India Wants to Protect
India's men's kabaddi team has historically dominated the Asian Games, winning gold at every edition since the sport was introduced. Sunil framed the upcoming campaign in terms of legacy: '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.'
Notably, this will be one of the most closely watched kabaddi contests in recent memory, with rival nations having studied India's patterns extensively after years of dominance. The depth of preparation — spanning fitness, strategy, and role clarity — suggests the team management is acutely aware of that pressure.
Competition Schedule and Venue
The kabaddi competition at the 2026 Asian Games will be held at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium in Tokai City, Aichi Prefecture. India's campaign opens on 21 September, with the finals scheduled for 26 September. The team will need to deliver over five days of competition if it is to extend its historic gold-medal run at the Games.
With strategy drilled, combinations set, and a squad carrying both gold-medal pedigree and fresh legs, all eyes will be on whether India can once again stand atop the kabaddi podium in Japan.
Point of View
But it has also made the team the most studied side in continental competition. The emphasis on collective effort over individual brilliance in Sunil Kumar's remarks is telling — past editions have shown that opponents increasingly target India's raiding patterns. The six-to-eight-month preparation window is the right structural response, but execution under tournament pressure remains the variable no camp can fully simulate. If India does claim gold in Aichi-Nagoya, it will validate a model of early, structured preparation that other disciplines would do well to replicate.
NationPress
18 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is India's kabaddi captain for the 2026 Asian Games?
Sunil Kumar , a 27-year-old right defender, is India's kabaddi captain for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. He was also part of the gold-medal-winning squad at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
When does India's kabaddi campaign begin at the 2026 Asian Games?
India's kabaddi campaign at the 2026 Asian Games begins on 21 September , with the finals scheduled for 26 September at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium in Tokai City, Aichi Prefecture.
Which players from the 2022 Hangzhou gold-medal squad are in India's 2026 Asian Games kabaddi team?
Four players from the 2022 Hangzhou gold-medal campaign are in the squad: Sunil Kumar , Arjun Deshwal , Aslam Inamdar , and Pawan Sehrawat . They are joined by Pro Kabaddi League stars and emerging talent.
How did India prepare for the 2026 Asian Games kabaddi tournament?
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the national kabaddi federation launched a training camp six to eight months before the Games. The squad trained at SAI Bengaluru, then Bellary, before moving to SAI Gandhinagar for the final phase of preparation.
What is India's historical record in kabaddi at the Asian Games?
India has won gold in men's kabaddi at every Asian Games since the sport was introduced at the continental level. The team's most recent title came at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games , and the 2026 campaign aims to extend that unbeaten run.
