Ahmedabad: India produced a commanding double on Friday as both the men's and women's teams stormed into the finals of the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex. The men defeated Bangladesh 56-27 in their semifinal, while the women thrashed Sri Lanka 39-14 in theirs, IANS reported.
Source: IANS
In the men's semifinal, India asserted their dominance early, inflicting a first All-Out within the opening five minutes and a second with eight minutes left in the first half to lead 28-8 at the break, with Bangladesh failing to register a single tackle point in the half. India eventually closed out the 56-27 victory with 37 raid points, 12 tackle points and six All-Out points. Bharat Hooda led India's scoring with 13 points, Shivam Patare contributed 11 and Neeraj Narwal nine, while Ajit Pawar finished with five tackle points in defence.
Source: Pro Kabaddi
Sri Lanka edged Kenya 28-24 in the other men's semifinal and will meet India in the final at 9 pm on October 31, with India aiming to cap an unbeaten campaign by lifting the inaugural title. Reflecting on the run, men's captain Surjeet Singh said: "It is a proud moment for us to reach the final of the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship. The team is in high spirits, and our aim is to continue this unbeaten run and win the title."
Source: Pro Kabaddi
In the women's semifinal, India led Sri Lanka 24-7 at half-time and won 39-14, scoring 21 raid points and 12 tackle points and inflicting three All-Outs. Sakshi led India with 11 points and captain Nidhi Sharma added 10, while Ritu anchored the defence with four tackle points. Uganda edged Kenya 23-21 in the other semifinal, setting up the women's final against India on October 31.
Source: IANS
Speaking after the match, women's captain Nidhi Sharma said: "I'm very happy; it feels really good to have reached the final. We have played Uganda before, but they will change their strategy because it's the second time we're facing them, so it will be a good match." Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi attended the men's semifinal. The results complete a dominant week for the hosts, who had earlier reached the semifinals unbeaten — the men beating Tanzania 48-20 in their previous outing covered by Awaaz Punjab — and now stand one win each from a double title on home soil.
Source: IANS