India vs Japan — Men’s Kabaddi | Asian Games 2026 Day 3
India vs Japan — Men’s Kabaddi | Asian Games 2026 Day 3
Date: September 21, 2026 (Day 3) | Time: 9:45 AM IST | Venue: Nagoya, Japan
| Team | Points | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇳 India | 49 | India Won |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 24 |
Match Preview
India’s Men’s Kabaddi team, the most dominant force in Asian Games kabaddi history, takes on host nation Japan in a pool stage clash on Day 3. India has won gold at every single Asian Games since kabaddi was introduced to the program, and they will be determined to keep that streak alive in Nagoya.
Playing in front of a home crowd, Japan will be energised and will look to put pressure on India early. Japanese kabaddi has improved tremendously in recent years, with more players getting exposure to the Pro Kabaddi League system. However, India’s combination of elite raiders and suffocating defenders remains the gold standard in the sport.
India’s squad, packed with Pro Kabaddi League stars, boasts match-winners in every position. Expect an intense and physical contest with India likely to dominate possession and raiding opportunities, though Japan will fight hard for every point.
India Men’s Kabaddi — Key Players
| Player | Role | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Pardeep Narwal | Raider | “The Dubki King” — one of the greatest raiders ever |
| Pawan Sehrawat | Raider | Explosive athleticism, highest-paid PKL player |
| Fazel Atrachali | Defender | Anchor of the defence, devastating ankle holds |
| Nitesh Kumar | Defender | Consistent tackler, dependable in big moments |
Kabaddi at Asian Games 2026 — Tournament Format
Men’s Kabaddi at Asian Games 2026 features pool stage matches followed by semifinals and a gold medal final. India, Iran, South Korea, and Pakistan are expected to be the main contenders for podium positions, with Japan and Bangladesh also capable of causing upsets in pool play.
A kabaddi match consists of two halves of 20 minutes each. Raiders score points by tagging defenders and returning to their half, while defenders score by stopping the raider from returning. The team with the most points at the end wins.
📍 This page will be updated with live score and final result as soon as the match concludes.
