Top 5 players who are not included in Indian men's Kabaddi team probables list for Asian Games 2026
A 14-member squad will be finalised from this probables list.
India have announced their probables for the Asian Games 2026 training camp, bringing together a mix of experienced internationals and in-form Pro Kabaddi League performers. The list is expected to form the core group from which the final squad will be selected ahead of the continental event.
However, the selections have also led to notable exclusions, with several consistent PKL performers missing out despite strong recent seasons. Based on form, impact, and role-specific value, five players stand out whose absence raises questions about balance and depth in the probables list.
On that note, let’s take a look at the top five players who are not included in the Indian men’s kabaddi team probables list.
Sagar Rathee
Both performance and recurring fitness concerns shape Sagar Rathee’s case. He managed only 12 tackle points in 5 matches in PKL Season 12 before another injury setback. In Season 11, he featured in just one match, scoring 3 points before being sidelined.
Despite these recent interruptions, his earlier output remains strong, with 67 tackle points in 18 matches in PKL Season 10 and 53 points in 17 matches in Season 9.
He also registered 83 tackle points in Season 8 and had a decent debut in Season 7, all with Tamil Thalaivas. While his defensive quality is proven, persistent injuries may have influenced his exclusion.
Akash Shinde
Akash Shinde combines domestic form with an international pedigree, having been part of India’s gold medal-winning squad at the 2022 Asian Games.
He joined Bengaluru Bulls in PKL 12 and scored 68 raid points from 15 matches, operating as a primary raider. Before that, with Puneri Paltan, he recorded 93 points in 19 matches in Season 11, 58 points from 13 matches in Season 10, and 142 points from 22 matches in Season 9.
He made his debut in PKL Season 8 and has shown steady progression since. His ability to handle raid responsibility across teams and deliver consistently makes his omission a notable decision.
Ajinkya Pawar
Ajinkya Pawar has delivered consistent raiding output across multiple teams in the Pro Kabaddi League. In PKL 12, he featured for Dabang Delhi and scored 68 raid points from 19 matches. In Season 11, with Bengaluru Bulls, he registered 64 points in 17 matches.
His most productive phase came with Tamil Thalaivas, where he scored 133 raid points in Season 10, after recording 141 points in 22 matches in Season 9 and 114 points in 18 matches in Season 8.
Ajinkya debuted with Jaipur Pink Panthers in Season 6, with Season 7 being a relatively underwhelming campaign. His long-term stability and adaptability across different teams make him a valuable player.
Vinay Tevathia
Vinay Tevathia has been one of the most consistent raiders for Haryana Steelers across multiple PKL seasons.
In PKL 12, he scored 134 raid points from 18 matches, following up on 166 points in 24 matches in Season 11 and 165 points in 23 matches in Season 10. He has been a regular feature for the Steelers since PKL Season 7, also contributing across Seasons 8 and 9.
Vinay’s ability to sustain high raid volumes while maintaining output across consecutive seasons highlights his reliability. Given his consistent performances over time, his omission from the list of probables is most notable.
Mohit Goyat
Mohit Goyat has been one of the most consistent secondary raiders of Puneri Paltan in the Pro Kabaddi League over multiple seasons.
He scored 151 raid points in PKL Season 10 from 22 matches, followed by 104 points in 19 matches in Season 11. Even in PKL Season 12, despite limited opportunities, he managed 13 points in 6 matches.
Notably, he crossed the 100-point mark in both seasons 8 and 9, showing his consistent performance over the years. Goyat’s ability to support the lead raider while maintaining efficiency makes his omission a significant call.
When will Kabaddi events take place at the Asian Games 2026?
Kabaddi at the Asian Games 2026 will commence on September 21 and conclude on September 26. The matches will be played at the Tokai City Gymnasium, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
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Farzan is a journalist at Khel Now covering Indian Olympic sports and kabaddi. With five years of experience working with major sports organizations like Chennaiyin FC, Dabang Delhi K.C., Rajasthan Royals, and Yuva Kabaddi Series, he brings diverse expertise. Farzan has covered two Olympics, one Commonwealth Games, and one Asian Games, making his knowledge of Indian sports broad and versatile.