New Delhi, 16 September (H.S.): The Indian women’s kabaddi team will enter the arena at the 2026 Asian Games with the objective of defending its gold medal. Captain Pushpa Rana and Arjuna Awardee Pooja Kajla expressed confidence in the team’s preparations, saying that securing the top position remains the squad’s primary goal.

Pushpa Rana, who will lead the 12-member Indian squad, said the team has analysed its opponents while also working on its own weaknesses. In an official statement, she said, “We practise according to the conditions. We also analyse videos of the upcoming matches. Our coaches tell us about the mistakes we made previously and the areas that need improvement. We are now working on those aspects. I feel that our team is fully prepared.”

India has dominated kabaddi at the Asian Games and has won 11 gold medals in the sport so far, including three in the women’s category. The Indian women’s team won gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games after defeating Chinese Taipei 26-25 in the final. In November last year, the Indian women’s team also won the World Cup title.

Rana said the expectation of winning successive titles is not a source of pressure for her, but rather a motivation. She said, “When our senior players have already performed well and created history, it is now our responsibility to maintain that momentum. We do not see it as pressure, but as motivation, and we are working hard to sustain that momentum.”

Relying on the Experience of Senior Players

Pushpa Rana is captaining the Indian team for the first time, although she has previously served as vice-captain. She said the presence of experienced players in the squad has been a major source of support.

Rana said, “I rely heavily on the senior players because players such as Ritu Negi and Sonali Shingate have captained the team before. Therefore, their advice is very important to me.”

Rana identified Chinese Taipei as one of the major challengers for India at the Asian Games. She also recalled the closely contested final at the previous Asian Games, where India defeated Chinese Taipei 26-25.

Pooja Kajla Says Gold Medal Would Inspire Young Girls

Arjuna Awardee Pooja Kajla said winning another gold medal at the Asian Games would also provide an opportunity to inspire the next generation of Indian women athletes.

She said, “First and foremost, it is very important to win a gold medal at the Asian Games. At the same time, when we talk about the success of women athletes, young girls are also inspired by them. If we win the gold medal, young children will draw inspiration from us and will also ask their parents to allow them to take up sports.”

Kajla also described the strength and conditioning camp organised by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India and Mashal Sports, the organiser of the Pro Kabaddi League, as beneficial.

She said the camp included additional sessions on sleep and recovery, which provided the players with valuable learning and helped them understand the importance of these aspects in preparation and performance.

India’s Campaign to Begin on September 21

The kabaddi competition at the 2026 Asian Games will begin on September 21. The Indian women’s team will face Bangladesh in its opening Group A match on September 21. It will then take on Iran on September 23 and Japan on September 24. The semi-finals will be held on September 25, while the gold-medal match is scheduled for September 26.

Indian Women’s Kabaddi Team

Pushpa Rana (Captain), Ritu Negi, Sonali Shingate, Sanju Devi, Pooja Kajla, Ritu Sheoran, Jyoti Thakur, Pinky Roy, Manisha Kumari, Bhawna Thakur, Raj Rani and Nikita Kumari.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar