Naveen Kumar included as India men's squad announce for Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026
The tournament will run from October 23 to 31.
India have announced a 14-member men’s squad for the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026, scheduled to take place at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, later this month.
The squad features several established Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) names, including Naveen Kumar, Sachin Tanwar and Bharat Hooda, as the hosts prepare for the first edition of the international competition.
The championship will bring together teams from across the Commonwealth Nations, with India looking to make a strong impression on home soil.
Experienced raiders headline India’s squad
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The Indian squad includes Sachin Tanwar, Naveen Kumar, Bharat Hooda, Pankaj Mohite, Aditya Shinde, Shivam Patare and Neeraj Narwal among its attacking options.
Naveen, known for his raiding ability in the PKL, will be one of the players to watch, while Sachin and Bharat bring further experience to the lineup.
Pankaj, Aditya, Shivam and Neeraj add depth to India’s raiding unit, giving the team multiple options to build its attack. The combination will be important as India look to maintain pressure on opponents and make the most of their scoring opportunities.
Strong defensive options complete the lineup
India’s defensive unit features Surjeet Singh, Ajit Pawar, Parvesh Malik, Shubham Shinde, Yogesh Dahiya, Nitesh Kumar and Deepak Sankar.
The defenders will be tasked with stopping opposition raids, coordinating tackles and limiting opponents’ scoring opportunities. With a mix of experienced and young talents from the domestic circuit, India will aim to build a balanced unit capable of performing across the tournament.
The selection also gives players a chance to make their mark at the international level, especially those looking to build their reputation beyond PKL’s confines.
Indian men’s squad for the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026
The 14-member Indian men’s squad is as follows:
Raiders: Sachin Tanwar, Naveen Kumar, Pankaj Mohite, Aditya Shinde, Shivam Patare.
Defenders: Surjeet Singh, Ajit Pawar, Parvesh Malik, Shubham Shinde, Nitesh Kumar, Yogesh Dahiya, Deepak Sankar.
All-rounders: Bharat Hooda, Neeraj Narwal
With Pakistan pulling out of the tournament, the final 13 nations participating are India, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Nigeria, Scotland, Kenya, Tanzania, Malaysia, Singapore, Canada, Sri Lanka and Uganda.
The inaugural championship will also serve as an opportunity to showcase kabaddi ahead of Ahmedabad hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games, four years after the tournament.
When will the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 begin?
The Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 is scheduled to begin on October 23 at Veer Savarkar Stadium in Ahmedabad, India.
Where and how to watch the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026?
The Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 will be broadcast on the Star Sports network, with live streaming available on the JioStar app and website.
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