India Set Up Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship Final Against Sri Lanka
India powered into the men’s final of the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 with a convincing 56-27 semi-final win over Bangladesh in Ahmedabad on Friday. The hosts will meet Sri Lanka in the title match on October 31 after the island nation held off Kenya 28-24 in a tense second semi-final.
The contrasting victories have set up an intriguing final: India arrive with an unbeaten record and a high-scoring attack, while Sri Lanka earned their place through a close contest that tested their composure. The championship match is scheduled for 9 p.m. at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, where India will look to finish their campaign by claiming the tournament’s first men’s title.
India Take Control Early Against Bangladesh
India established their authority almost immediately, combining sharp raids with organised defence to leave Bangladesh struggling to build momentum. Dipayon Golder opened Bangladesh’s scoring with a successful raid, but India responded quickly and inflicted the first all-out within the opening five minutes.
Naveen Kumar and Neeraj Narwal helped drive India’s early attacking effort, while Deepak S and Shubham Shinde provided a strong defensive foundation. As the match progressed, Bharat Hooda and Shivam Patare took on greater responsibility in the raiding department, keeping Bangladesh’s defence under sustained pressure.
India’s second all-out arrived with eight minutes remaining in the first half. The hosts went into the break with a commanding 28-8 advantage, a margin built on their ability to score consistently while limiting Bangladesh’s opportunities. Bangladesh relied largely on raids from Golder and Md Rahman, but could not find a breakthrough in defence during the opening period.
Hooda Leads India’s Scoring Surge
Bangladesh attempted to respond after the restart, but India maintained the same balance between attack and defence. With 10 minutes remaining, the hosts had extended their lead to 38-16. Hooda continued to find gaps in the opposition formation, and another all-out—India’s third of the match—followed with four minutes left, pushing the score to 49-20.
India eventually closed out a 56-27 victory, recording 37 raid points, 12 tackle points and six points from all-outs. Hooda was the leading scorer with 13 points, while Patare added 11 and Narwal contributed nine. Ajit Pawar also made a notable impact at the back, collecting five tackle points from eight tackles.
The result reflected India’s control across both phases of play. Their raiders repeatedly put Bangladesh under pressure, while the defence worked to prevent the visitors from turning isolated scoring chances into sustained runs. That combination will be important again in the final, where Sri Lanka are likely to offer a more closely matched challenge.
Sri Lanka Hold Their Nerve to Eliminate Kenya
Sri Lanka secured the second place in the final after edging Kenya 28-24 in a competitive semi-final. The narrow margin made the match a very different test from India’s emphatic win, with Sri Lanka needing to remain composed as Kenya stayed within reach throughout the contest.
Milinda Chathuranga and Sabihan led Sri Lanka’s scoring with six points apiece, while Viduranga added four. Made Dwiki Sanjaya anchored the defensive effort, finishing with five tackle points. Kenya’s Helvic Wanjala was the match’s top individual scorer with nine points, and Samuel Wafula contributed six as the team pushed Sri Lanka until the closing stages.
Kenya’s performance underlined the growing competitiveness of kabaddi beyond its traditional strongholds. Their ability to challenge Sri Lanka in a close knockout match also adds an encouraging dimension to a championship featuring teams from across the Commonwealth.
Captain Surjeet Singh Highlights the Sport’s Global Potential
India captain Surjeet Singh described reaching the final as a proud moment for the team, particularly because this is the first edition of the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship. He said the squad was in high spirits and focused on maintaining its unbeaten run to win the title.
Singh also pointed to the wider importance of the tournament. With 13 countries participating, the event offers players and national teams a valuable opportunity to gain international experience. He singled out the performances of African sides as a positive sign and said he hoped more players from those teams would receive opportunities in competitions such as the Pro Kabaddi League.
Greater international exposure could help strengthen the sport’s development by giving athletes access to higher levels of competition, coaching and visibility. Singh also linked the championship to kabaddi’s longer-term ambitions, including the possibility of featuring at the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics. While those milestones remain future goals, tournaments that bring diverse national teams together can help build the profile and competitive depth needed to pursue them.
What to Expect in the Men’s Final
India will enter the final as favourites after producing a dominant semi-final display and remaining unbeaten throughout the campaign. Their scoring depth is a clear strength: Hooda, Patare and Narwal have all contributed significantly, making it difficult for opponents to focus on containing a single raider. India’s defensive unit has also shown it can turn pressure into crucial stops and all-outs.
Sri Lanka, however, have demonstrated resilience and the ability to manage a close contest. Their semi-final win over Kenya suggests they can stay organised when the score is tight, while Sanjaya’s defensive contribution gives them a strong platform. To challenge India, Sri Lanka will need to limit the hosts’ scoring runs, avoid conceding early all-outs and make the most of their own raid opportunities.
The men’s final begins at 9 p.m. on October 31 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad. India will aim to cap an unbeaten campaign with the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship title, while Sri Lanka will look to carry their hard-fought semi-final momentum into the tournament’s biggest match.
