Top 10 players who are not included in 5th Senior Federation Kabaddi Cup 2026

Some big stars will not feature at the competition!

The fifth edition of the Senior Federation Kabaddi Cup 2026 is set to take place from March 19 to 22 at the Shri Narendra Das Modi Stadium in Satna, Madhya Pradesh. Organised by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), the four-day tournament will feature over 100 players representing nine teams.

In the previous edition, Indian Railways emerged as champions after a dominant performance in the final against Rajasthan, securing a convincing 42-18 victory to clinch the title. Haryana and Services, who reached the semi-finals, finished the tournament with bronze medals.

For this edition, the nine participating teams have been split into two groups. Pool A features defending champions Indian Railways, along with Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Services. Pool B consists of Maharashtra, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and host Madhya Pradesh.

Which players have been snubbed for the Senior Federation Kabaddi Cup 2026?

Maharashtra: Aslam Inamdar, Aditya Shinde & Shivam Patare

Maharashtra heads into the tournament with a balanced squad featuring the likes of Akash Shinde, Saurabh Raut, and Ajit Chouhan, offering depth across raiding and defensive units. The inclusion of emerging names like Sanket Sawant and Anuj Gawade shows a focus on youth alongside experience.

However, the absence of key players like Aslam Inamdar, Aditya Shinde, and Shivam Patare is a significant talking point. These omissions could impact leadership and crunch-moment execution. While the current squad is competitive, the lack of proven match-winners may slightly weaken their title credentials in high-pressure situations.

Also Read: 5th Senior Federation Kabaddi Cup 2026: Full schedule, results, match timings, live streaming details & more

Indian Railways: Pankaj Mohite, Shubham Shinde & Ajinkya Pawar

Indian Railways still boasts a strong and structured unit with experienced names like Sunil Kumar, Parvesh Malik, and Nitesh Kumar forming a solid defensive backbone. Raiders like Ashu Malik and Saurabh Nandal bring attacking firepower, maintaining their reputation as a disciplined side.

However, the absence of Pankaj Mohite, Shubham Shinde, and Ajinkya Pawar leaves a visible gap in both raiding explosiveness and all-round versatility. These players have consistently delivered at the top level, and their exclusion could reduce the team’s ability to dominate games.

Despite that, Railways remain one of the most tactically sound teams in the competition and will begin the tournament as favorites.

Uttar Pradesh: Arjun Deshwal & Ashu

Uttar Pradesh have assembled a promising squad with a mix of youth and established performers like Nitin Panwar, Shubham Baliyan, and Sahul Kumar. The squad carries multiple raiding options, offering flexibility in attack.

However, the absence of star raider Arjun Deshwal and Ashu is a major setback. These players are proven game-changers who can single-handedly shift momentum.

Without them, UP may struggle in tight matches where individual brilliance is required. While the current squad shows promise, the lack of elite-level experience in key moments could limit their chances of going deep into the tournament.

Chandigarh: Gurdeep & Gaurav

Chandigarh’s squad features a blend of solid domestic performers like Pawan Sehrawat, Ankit Dahiya, and Gaurav Khatri, giving them a competitive edge in both raiding and defense. The team looks structured, with players capable of executing specific roles effectively.

But the absence of Gurdeep and Gaurav raises questions about their defensive stability. While Chandigarh remains a disciplined unit, the missing experienced core might hinder their consistency against stronger, more complete teams in the tournament.

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