Veteran Captain Sunil Kumar Leads Blend of Experience and Youth for 2026 Asian Games

NEW DELHI, Sept 18 — Sunil Kumar, the 27‑year‑old right‑defender who captained India’s gold‑winning kabaddi side at the previous Asian Games, said the team is entering the 2026 Aichi‑Nagoya edition with a perfect mix of experience and fresh talent.

The six‑to‑eight‑month camp, organized by the Sports Authority of India and the Kabaddi Federation, began in Bangalore, moved to Bellary for strength conditioning and wrapped up in Gandhinagar. This timeline, Kumar explained, offered sufficient space for the squad to rehearse set‑plays, work on fitness and polish individual techniques.

Four players from the Hangzhou triumph — Kumar himself, Arjun Deshwal, Aslam Inamdar and Pawan Sahrawat — are joined by Pro Kabaddi League standouts Aashu Malik, Jaideep Dahiya, Devank Dalal, Rahul Seth‑pal and the promising youngster Ayan Lohchab.

“We respect the legacy left by senior players and aim to add another gold medal to India’s account,” Kumar said. “Our raiders, defenders and all‑rounders must function as a single unit; a solitary effort will not secure victory.”

India’s men will battle at the Tokai City Gymnasium from September 21, with the final slated for September 26.