Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026: Semi-Finals Set for a High-Stakes Night in Ahmedabad
The Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 enters its knockout phase in Ahmedabad on October 30, with four semi-finals scheduled across the men’s and women’s competitions. After a demanding group stage, the remaining teams are one win away from the finals on October 31. There is no room for recovery in a straight knockout: victory means a place in the title match, while defeat ends the campaign.
India’s men arrive with a perfect record, while Kenya have emerged as a formidable force in both divisions. But the semi-final matchups bring fresh challenges, and group-stage form alone will not decide who advances. Tactical discipline, defensive coordination and the ability to make the most of every raid could prove decisive on the championship’s biggest night so far.
Group Stage Results Shape the Kabaddi Semi-Finals
India completed the men’s Group A schedule unbeaten, defeating Sri Lanka 45–24 on October 29 to finish with six wins from six matches and 12 points. Sri Lanka also qualified, taking second place with 10 points. India’s latest win was built on contributions from both raiders and defenders, offering a timely confidence boost before the knockout encounter with Bangladesh.
Kenya secured top spot in men’s Group B with a perfect run of five wins and 10 points. Their campaign included a commanding 76–27 victory over Australia. Bangladesh finished second with eight points after beating Scotland 70–20, while Canada closed its group campaign with a 45–38 win over Singapore. In another result from the final round, Uganda defeated Nigeria 72–29 and Tanzania overcame England 36–27.
The women’s group stage also produced four semi-finalists. India and Uganda advanced from Group A, while Kenya and Sri Lanka progressed from Group B. India topped its pool ahead of Uganda, and Kenya finished first in its group ahead of Sri Lanka. The resulting fixtures set up contrasting contests: India face Sri Lanka, while Kenya meet Uganda.
Men’s Semi-Finals: India Face Bangladesh, Kenya Meet Sri Lanka
India’s men take on Bangladesh in a matchup between an unbeaten group leader and a side with a potent raiding attack. India’s six victories make them a natural contender, but Bangladesh’s scoring options mean the Indian defence cannot afford to relax. The other men’s semi-final pits Kenya against Sri Lanka, with Kenya’s strong group-stage performances tested by a Sri Lankan side that has several high-scoring raiders.
India’s raiders and defenders to watch
Aditya Shinde and Pankaj Mohite were central to India’s 45–24 win over Sri Lanka. Shinde recorded a Super 10, while Mohite collected 15 raid points. Their ability to create pressure and keep the scoreboard moving will be important against Bangladesh, particularly if the opposition defence tries to contain one raider and force India to rely on another.
At the other end, Nitesh Kumar delivered a High 5 with five tackle points, while Yogesh Dahiya added four. Their partnership will be vital in limiting Bangladesh’s leading attackers and turning defensive stops into opportunities for India to build momentum.
Bangladesh’s scoring threat
Dipayon Golder leads Bangladesh’s attack with 43 raid points, while Md. Al-Amin has added 39 in four matches. Together, they give Bangladesh more than one route to points and could make India’s defensive planning difficult. If Bangladesh can keep its raids productive while avoiding costly empty turns, the contest could become much closer than the group standings suggest.
Kenya and Sri Lanka prepare for a raiding battle
Sri Lanka’s attack is led by Sabihan and Viduranga, who have each scored 40 raid points. Captain Milinda Chathuranga has contributed 39, giving the team another experienced scoring option. Kenya will look to disrupt that rhythm through its defence, led by Lewis Mboya, who has recorded 14 tackle points in four matches. Sri Lanka’s Santhushta, with 15 tackle points, will also have a key role in containing Kenya’s raiders.
Women’s Semi-Finals: India Meet Sri Lanka as Kenya Face Uganda
India’s women face Sri Lanka in a semi-final that brings together a strong Indian raiding unit and a determined Sri Lankan defence. Anu Sen has scored 28 raid points and produced a Super 10 in India’s final group match. She will be a major attacking focus, while vice-captain Ritu Mitharwal, with nine tackle points, and Jyothi, with eight from three matches, will help anchor India’s defensive effort.
Sri Lanka’s Kajenthini leads the women’s competition in tackle points with 14, making her one of the most important players in the matchup. Hansika has added 10 tackle points and Hansamali nine, giving Sri Lanka a dependable defensive core. Their challenge will be to contain Anu Sen while staying alert to India’s other raiding options.
The other women’s semi-final features Kenya and Uganda, two sides that have shown the ability to score consistently. Kenya’s Lavenda Odhiambo leads all women’s raiders with 56 points, while Joy Vanessa Onyango has collected 33 in just two matches. Uganda will need to limit both players’ influence and make its own possession count.
Shirat Nakayongo, with 28 raid points, is Uganda’s leading attacking threat. On defence, Nalubega Olivia has recorded 11 tackle points, while Nagawa Dorothy has eight. Kenya’s Mary Oteki, who has nine tackle points, will help protect the Kenyan corners and support the effort to contain Uganda’s raiders.
What to Expect on October 30
The semi-finals are likely to be decided by more than individual scoring totals. In kabaddi, a well-timed tackle can shift momentum as sharply as a successful raid, while discipline around bonus points, all-outs and substitutions can determine how a close match unfolds. The teams that manage pressure best may have the clearest path to the finals.
India’s men will aim to extend their unbeaten run against Bangladesh, while Kenya will try to carry its strong form through both men’s and women’s semi-finals. Sri Lanka, Uganda and Bangladesh all have players capable of changing a contest quickly, ensuring the favourites face serious tests. By the end of October 30, the four finalists for the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 will be confirmed, setting up a decisive championship day in Ahmedabad on October 31.
