Sunil Kumar gives big statement on Iran men's kabaddi team just before Asian Games 2026
Sunil Kumar will lead the Indian men’s kabaddi team at the Asian Games 2026.
The kabaddi event at the Asian Games 2026 will start on September 21 and will run until September 26. The Indian men’s kabaddi team will be eyeing gold; however, it will not be an easy task, with Iran being their biggest rival.
The India-Iran rivalry in kabaddi has always produced closely fought encounters, with India coming out on top on most occasions.
However, Iran dealt the Indian team one of their biggest setbacks by defeating them in the semi-finals of the 2018 Asian Games. Iran went on to win the gold medal after defeating South Korea in the final.
It was the first time that India had failed to win the gold in kabaddi at the Asian Games. However, India got their revenge against Iran at the 2022 Asian Games. Even then, it was another closely fought encounter, with India winning 33-29. The match was also surrounded by controversy over the lobby rule, but the decision was eventually given in India’s favour.
Ahead of the Asian Games 2026, Iranian all-rounder Mohammadreza Shadloui issued an open challenge to India, saying that they are ready for the Indian team and that this time, the gold medal belongs to Iran.
Indian captain Sunil Kumar made a confident statement
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After Shadloui, Sunil Kumar—who will captain the Indian team at the Asian Games 2026—also gave a fitting reply to India’s arch-rival.
Speaking to Mid-Day, Sunil recalled India’s loss to Iran by 18-27 in Jakarta in 2018 and their hard-fought win in the final of the 2022 Asian Games by 33-29.
Sunil later made a huge statement, saying, “We’re aiming to beat Iran by 10-15 points this time.”
Sunil’s statement has boosted the confidence of Indian fans, but it will also fire up their rivals, Iran, who will be eager to prove him wrong. In the last three Asian Games encounters between India and Iran, India have defeated Iran twice by a narrow margin, while Iran have also won one match.
Kabaddi fans are already excited about this match at the Asian Games, as it will determine which country emerges as the supreme champion of the sport.
Which year did the Iran men’s kabaddi team win gold at the Asian Games?
The Iran men’s kabaddi team won gold at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Who is the captain of the Indian men’s kabaddi team at the Asian Games 2026?
Sunil Kumar is the captain of the Indian men’s kabaddi team.
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