India Squad Announced for Asian Games 2026

The wait is finally over! Team India has officially announced its Men’s Kabaddi squad for the 20th Asian Games 2026. Fans had been eagerly waiting to see which players would make the final 12-member squad and who would miss out.

India Final Men’s Squad

Pawan Sehrawat
Ashu Malik
Arjun Deshwal
Devank Dalal
Ayan Lohchab
Aslam Inamdar
Jaideep Dahiya
Sunil Kumar
Ankit Jaglan
Gaurav Khatri
Sumit Sangwan
Rahul Sethpal

India’s Right Raiders

Team India has selected four Right Raiders in the final squad – Pawan Sehrawat, Ashu Malik, Devang Dalal, and Arjun Deswal.

This is an exciting combination of experience, current form, and raw talent. Pawan Sehrawat brings invaluable international experience and leadership, while Ashu Malik and Devank Dalal have been in exceptional form over the past year. Arjun Deswal, on the other hand, adds his natural attacking ability and match-winning talent.

Overall, India’s right raiding department looks extremely strong and well-balanced heading into the Asian Games.

India’s Left Raiders

For the Left Raider position, Team India has picked Ayan Lochab and Aslam Inamdar.

Ayan Lochab has been one of the brightest performers in recent months. After impressive performances in the Senior National Championship and the Pro Kabaddi League, it was difficult for the selectors to ignore him. His dream has now become a reality with his first selection to the Indian national team.

Aslam Inamdar brings plenty of experience to the squad. He is much more than just a raider – his ability to control the pace of the game and contribute in multiple situations makes him a valuable asset. If India needs an out-and-out strike raider, Ayaan is available, while Aslam provides tactical flexibility.

India’s Cover Defenders

Only two Cover Defenders have been selected in the squad – Jaideep Dahiya at Left Cover and Sunil Kumar at Right Cover.

The only concern here is the lack of specialist backup players for these positions. However, the selectors have picked arguably the best cover defenders currently available in India.

Jaideep Dahiya has established himself as India’s finest Left Cover defender, while Sunil Kumar continues to be the country’s top Right Cover. Together, they form one of the strongest cover combinations in the tournament.

India’s Corner Defenders

Team India has given extra importance to the corner positions by selecting four Corner Defenders.

The two Left Corner Defenders are Ankit Jaglan and Sumit Sangwan, while the two Right Corner Defenders are Gaurav Khatri and Rahul Sethpal.

All four defenders have been in outstanding form recently. Their performances in the Senior National Championship and domestic competitions made them strong contenders for selection. With this combination, India’s corner defence looks one of the strongest among all participating nations.

My Thoughts

Team India Has Picked Its Best Possible Squad.

Looking at the overall squad, Team India has selected what appears to be its strongest available combination. There are only a few minor areas where fans may have different opinions, but overall, the squad looks balanced across raiding and defence.

If the selected players perform according to their current form, India will once again be one of the favourites to win the Gold Medal.

Key Players Missing from the Squad

Although India has announced a strong final 12, a few notable names have missed out on selection.

Naveen Kumar

The biggest omission is Naveen Kumar. There is no doubt about his quality or importance to the national team, as he was also part of India’s previous Asian Games squad. However, his recent injury concerns appear to have gone against him. Despite being part of the national camp, he unfortunately couldn’t secure a place in the final squad.

Aditya Shinde & Bharat Hooda

Aditya Shinde and Bharat Hooda are two other players who were strong contenders for selection. Considering India’s shortage of specialist Left Raiders, one of them could have been included if the selectors had decided to pick a third Left Raider. Both players have been in excellent form recently and were unfortunate to miss out.

Women’s Team Also Announced

Along with the men’s squad, the Indian Women’s Kabaddi Team for the Asian Games 2026 has also been announced.

Pushpa Rana
Sanju Devi
Pooja Kajla
Sonali Shingate
Pinki Roy
Ritu Negi
Ritu Sheoran
Jyoti Thakur
Manisha Kumari
Bhavna Thakur
Rajrani
Nikita Kumari

Conclusion

So, this is Team India’s final squad for the 20th Asian Games 2026. With less than a month remaining before the tournament begins, the excitement is building rapidly, and Team India looks fully prepared for another Gold Medal challenge.