India beat Iran twice in one afternoon to defend both kabaddi titles
The men win their ninth Asian Games gold. The women win their fourth. And both finals came down to the same opponent.
J. R. Patel ·
Kabaddi news, analysis and explainers
Pro Kabaddi rules, tactics and the physical demands of a season — how raids score, how a defence is organised, and how the auction builds a squad.
How kabaddi works at the 2026 Asian Games, and what India must defend
A group stage, knockout rounds, and no second chances. India have won eleven golds across the two events since 1990. This is how the format tests them.
J. R. Patel ·
The Pro Kabaddi points system, explained with the numbers
Five points for a win, three for a tie, one for losing narrowly — plus every single way a point is scored on the mat.
J. R. Patel ·
The do-or-die raid and why it decides matches
Two empty raids and the third has to produce. It is the most loaded moment in the sport, and both sides can see it coming.
J. R. Patel ·
Corners, covers and ins: how a kabaddi defence is organised
Seven defenders, named positions, and a chain that only works if everybody holds their ground.
J. R. Patel ·
How the Pro Kabaddi auction works
Salary purses, player categories, retention slots and the Final Bid Match card that makes the room tense.
J. R. Patel ·
The physical cost of a kabaddi season
Repeated maximal efforts, constant contact, and a fixture list that leaves very little room to recover.
J. R. Patel ·