India completed a memorable kabaddi double at the 2026 Asian Games as the men’s team defeated Iran 40-34 in a closely fought final to secure the gold medal. The victory came after the Indian women’s team had also overcome Iran earlier in the day, underlining India’s strong showing in the sport and taking the country’s gold-medal tally at the ongoing Games to four.
India’s men produced a determined performance in the summit clash, overcoming a challenging start and keeping their composure when Iran applied pressure. The contest remained evenly poised during the opening exchanges, with both teams refusing to give away easy points.
Iran held the advantage at the interval, leading India 18-17 after a tightly contested first half. However, the Indian side returned with greater purpose after the break and gradually shifted the momentum in its favour.
The second half proved decisive. India tightened its defence while its raiders found important opportunities to collect points. The team’s ability to maintain pressure during crucial moments allowed it to move ahead and eventually establish a six-point winning margin.
Sumit and Arjun once again emerged as key performers for India. Their contributions at important stages helped the team withstand Iran’s challenge and maintain control as the final entered its decisive phase.
The 40-34 victory also gave India another reason to celebrate after the women’s kabaddi team had beaten Iran in their own final earlier in the day. The two victories made it a particularly significant day for Indian kabaddi, with both teams overcoming the same opponent on the biggest stage.
For Iran, the final was another hard-fought encounter against India, but the Indian men held their nerve when it mattered most. Despite trailing at half-time, they produced the stronger second-half performance and converted their opportunities into points.
The men’s gold also adds another medal to India’s campaign at the Asian Games 2026. With the kabaddi teams delivering gold medals in both categories, the sport has once again provided a major boost to the country’s medal campaign.
India’s victory was built not on an early runaway lead but on resilience and a strong response after the interval. The 40-34 scoreline reflected a contest in which Iran remained competitive, but India ultimately found the extra gear required to finish on top.
The back-to-back victories over Iran have therefore turned kabaddi into one of the standout chapters of India’s Asian Games campaign. After the women’s triumph, the men completed the job, ensuring that both Indian kabaddi teams returned home with gold medals.
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