3 best raiders of Indian men's kabaddi team for Asian Games 2026 ft. Devank Dalal
The Indian squad has a good mix of young and experienced raiders.
The Asian Games 2026 will be held in Japan for the third time, from September 20 to October 4. The Kabaddi event is scheduled for September 21 to 26 at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium in Tokai, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
The Indian men’s kabaddi team maintained unparalleled dominance in the sport. As a team, they have won 7 consecutive gold medals at the Asian Games, the most in the history of this prestigious tournament. They will enter the 20th edition of the competition with a firm resolve to add another achievement to their success.
Under the tactical acumen of veteran head coach Balwan Singh and his deputy, BC Ramesh, India are expected to showcase a stealthy, raid-heavy, attacking-oriented style of play.
Meanwhile, with teams like Iran, South Korea, and Bangladesh entering the tournament with firm resolve, it will be interesting to see how India’s raiding prowess breaches the opposition’s defences.
Combining expertise, legacy, control, and leadership, India’s 12-member squad boasts intriguing depth in its raiding unit. So, let’s look at the top three raiders of the Indian men’s kabaddi team.
Ayan Lohchab
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Ayan Lohchab, the star raider of the three-time champions Patna Pirates—who is just twenty years old—has already become a well-known name among fans of this indigenous sport.
Ayan’s selection for the national team, after emerging as the top raider with 316 raid points in Pro Kabaddi League 12, exemplifies how life can take a significant turn on the professional mat in just two seasons.
The Haryana-born raider announced himself in his debut season with the Patna Pirates, where he clinched 184 raid points while steering his team to the PKL Season 11 final.
He received the ‘New Young Player’ award for delivering such a magnificent performance. Selecting him for the 2026 Asian Games could prove to be a ‘trump card’ for India.
Devank Dalal
The young raider delivered a stellar performance in his fourth season of the Pro Kabaddi League, amassing 272 raid points while playing for the Bengal Warriorz. Although the Bengal-based franchise failed to show its spark in PKL 12, Devank’s performance left fans a little less disheartened.
In his last two seasons, Devank Dalal has represented two powerhouse teams in the Pro Kabaddi League and has consistently performed well, averaging over 16 raid points per match. This played a crucial role in earning him a debut call to the national team and added a byline to his classic Kabaddi folklore.
Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Devank idolised Indian veteran Pradeep Narwal, and his breakthrough came when he led the Services side to a national title while serving as a Havaldar in the Indian Army.
When his stint with the Jaipur Pink Panthers in the PKL was derailed due to a serious head injury, Devank announced himself once again in PKL Season 11, and this time, it was with the Patna Pirates.
In that season, he clinched 301 raid points with 18 Super 10s before heading to Bengal in Season 12. He will join his former PKL teammate Ayan Lohchab in India’s Asian Games 2026 campaign to strengthen the raiding unit.
Arjun Deshwal
The Tamil Thalaivas raider has already won an Asian Games gold, having triumphed with the Indian team at the 2022 Asian Games held in Hangzhou in 2023.
Arjun Deshwal, known as the ‘Raid Machine’, has made a name for himself thanks to his lightning-fast hand touch, quick reflexes, high speed, and unmatched agility.
His breakthrough came during his season with Jaipur Pink Panthers in Season 9 of the Pro Kabaddi League, where he scored 296 raid points and was named the Most Valuable Player. He also became the fastest raider to achieve 200 points in a season.
In his Pro Kabaddi League career so far, Deshwal has secured 1,380 raid points, placing him third on the all-time raid points list behind Pardeep Narwal and Maninder Singh. Representing India at the Asian Games 2026, Arjun will use his wealth of experience to support youngsters like Devank and Ayan.
India will face South Korea in their opening game of the Asian Games 2026 at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium in Tokai on 22nd September 2026. It will be telecast live from 6:00 AM IST.
When will the Kabaddi event at the Asian Games 2026 take place?
The event at the Asian Games 2026 will take place from September 21 to 26.
Who will lead the Indian men’s kabaddi team at Asian Games 2026?
Sunil Kumar will lead the Indian men’s team.
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