India Beat Iran 37-23 in Asian Games Women’s Kabaddi
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
India’s women’s kabaddi team overcame a strong challenge from Iran to record a 37-23 victory in their second Group A match at the 2026 Asian Games on Wednesday.
The defending champions were tested early by Iran but produced key plays at important moments to secure the win at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium.
Iran started strongly and took an early advantage as India’s defence struggled to contain raider Saniya Marani. India also lost some opportunities through rushed decisions.
With India facing the possibility of an all-out while trailing 10-6, raider Pooja delivered a crucial two-point raid as the final Indian player on the mat. The move helped India regain momentum.
India gradually reduced the deficit and eventually levelled the score at 11-11. The defence, led by Bhavna Devi, also improved its approach against Marani, allowing India’s raiders to become more effective.
India went into the interval with a 19-15 lead.
India Hold Off Iran’s Second-Half Fightback
India maintained control after the restart, but Iran threatened to close the gap with just over seven minutes remaining.
Aynaz Zobran produced a three-point super raid to reduce India’s advantage to 23-21, putting pressure back on the defending champions.
India responded immediately with a three-player super tackle on Marani, extending their lead to 26-21. The defensive effort proved important as Iran struggled to regain momentum.
With Iran taking greater risks late in the match, India capitalised on the opportunities and increased their winning margin to 37-23.
India had opened their Group A campaign with a victory over Bangladesh and will next meet hosts Japan on Thursday at the same venue.
Asian Games Women’s Kabaddi Format
The women’s kabaddi competition at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games features eight teams divided into two groups.
India, Iran and Japan are among the teams in Group A, while Sri Lanka, Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Nepal form Group B. (The source text lists Iran twice in Group A; this has been corrected here.)
Following the group stage, the top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals. Both losing semi-finalists will receive bronze medals, with no separate bronze-medal match scheduled.
India have won the women’s Asian Games kabaddi title three times, while Iran claimed gold at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games.
