Hangzhou: In a spectacular showdown at the 19th Asian Games, the Indian men’s kabaddi team delivered a resounding defeat to arch-rivals, Pakistan, with a staggering score of 61-14 in the semifinal clash. This dominant performance secured India’s place in the final of the tournament, showcasing their absolute best in this crucial encounter.
Right from the get-go, India demonstrated their supremacy, leading Pakistan by a commanding 30-5 margin at halftime. Despite a brief resurgence from Pakistan with some quick points, the Indian raiders and defenders remained unwavering, consistently racking up the points.
The first half of the men’s kabaddi semi-final witnessed India inflicting three all-outs on their opponents. Naveen Kumar played a pivotal role in orchestrating India’s comeback after Pakistan’s early surge, while captain Pawan Sehrawat delivered a sensational raid that further solidified India’s dominance.
After halftime, India continued their relentless pursuit of victory, adding 31 more points to their already impressive tally from the first half. Pakistan, though relieved to finally reach double digits, struggled to thwart the Indian onslaught. While the Pakistani defense initially posed a challenge, the Indian raiders swiftly dismantled their resistance, securing their place in the gold medal match.
Notable performances included all-outs by Pawan and Naveen in the first half, as well as impressive displays by Aslam Inamdar, Sachin Tanwar, and Akash Shinde, who managed all-outs in the second half. Meanwhile, Vishal Bhardwaj emerged as a standout defender, executing ankle holds with calm precision from the left corner position.
The Indian team now awaits their opponent in the gold medal match, which will be determined by the outcome of the second semifinal between Iran and Chinese Taipei on Saturday. India’s triumphant journey to the final sets the stage for what promises to be an electrifying showdown as they vie for Asian Games gold.