India’s men led Bangladesh 29-9 at half-time, and the women came from behind to beat Iran
India’s men beat Bangladesh 48-25 to become the first team into the Asian Games kabaddi semi-finals, and the women turned round an early deficit against the only side to have beaten them to gold.
Sep 23, 2026
Both of India’s kabaddi teams played at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium on Wednesday, and both won by double figures. The men’s 48-25 win over Bangladesh made them the first team to book a semi-final place at the 2026 Asian Games. The women’s 37-23 win over Iran was harder work than the final score suggests.
Iran had India behind early
Iran are the one side to have taken women’s kabaddi gold away from India. They beat India in the 2018 final in Jakarta, and India have won the other three women’s titles. Early on Wednesday, they looked capable of doing it again.
India were 9-11 down in the first half before the match turned. Pooja’s raiding did most of the damage, and Bhavna Devi’s tackles stopped Iran from pulling clear again. By half-time India were 19-15 up.
The second half belonged to India, who outscored Iran 18-8 after the break. Seven of their 37 points were bonus points and four more came from All-Outs. Iran’s six bonus points were more than a quarter of their 23.
That is two wins from two for the women, after a 42-21 victory over Bangladesh in their opener. Japan are next on Thursday in India’s last group match, and a win there would confirm a semi-final place.
Bangladesh were beaten by half-time
The men’s match was settled in the first half. India inflicted two All-Outs in the first half and went in 29-9 ahead, with 18 points from getting Bangladesh players out and seven more from bonuses.
Bangladesh were much better after the break. They took 16 points in the second half, eight of them bonus points, but India still scored 19 of their own, including a third All-Out. Arjun Deshwal came on for Devank Dalal at the start of the second half.
India have now won all three group games, after beating Japan 49-24 and South Korea 63-31 earlier in the week. Chinese Taipei are the last group opponents on Thursday morning.
India have won eight of the nine men’s kabaddi golds since the sport joined the Asian Games in 1990, and 2018 is the only time they missed out. Both beaten semi-finalists get bronze here, so a medal is already secured and the ninth gold is two wins away.