NAGOYA, JAPAN: As the Indian women’s kabaddi team gears up to represent the country at the upcoming 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Pooja Kajla and captain Pushpa Rana believe the responsibility of defending India’s gold medal comes with confidence and motivation, with the team firmly setting its sights on the top spot.
Rana, who has been handed the responsibility of leading the 12-member squad, said the team has been preparing extensively by analysing opponents and working on areas of improvement identified by the coaching staff.
“First of all, we practice according to the situation. We also analyse the videos of the upcoming matches. Our coaches also tell us about the shortcomings of the past and what needs to be improved. And now we are working on that. I think our team is well prepared [for the Asian Games],” said Rana.
Kabaddi has traditionally carried immense expectations at the Asian Games, with India having won 11 gold medals in the sport, including three in the women’s event. The Indian women’s team will look to defend the gold medal won in Hangzhou, where they defeated Chinese Taipei 26-25 in the final.
India Women won gold at the Kabaddi World Cup in November last year
The Indian women’s team also clinched the gold medal at the World Cup in November last year, and Rana believes that the expectation to win again is a source of confidence rather than pressure.
“Yes, I feel that motivation. When our seniors have already done a good job, they have made their own history, so it is up to us to maintain that momentum. So, we see it as motivation; we don’t see it as pressure. We are also working hard to maintain that momentum in the 2026 Asian Games,” she said.
Rana also highlighted the importance of experience within the squad as she takes on her first captaincy assignment. Having previously served as vice-captain, she said she continues to rely on the guidance of senior players such as Ritu Negi and Sonali Shingate to strengthen team bonding.
“I rely a lot on the seniors because they are already a few ex-captains like Ritu Negi and Sonali Shingate. So, their advice is very important to me,” said Rana.
Chinese Taipei are expected to challenge India in the Asian Games
She also identified Chinese Taipei as one of the teams to watch, recalling the closely fought 26-25 final at the previous Asian Games. For Arjuna awardee Pooja Kajla, the opportunity to win another Asian Games gold also carries the chance to inspire the next generation of women in sport.
“First of all, it is very important to win gold at the Asian Games. Along with that, as we talk about the girls of the Cricket World Cup, there are also juniors who are very inspired by the success of Indian women in sport. So, if we bring gold, then children get inspired by us, and they will also ask their parents to let them play,” said Kajla.
Kajla also credited the team’s preparation at the strength and conditioning camp, organised jointly by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) alongside Mashal Sports, the Organisers of Pro Kabaddi League, for helping the players build better habits around recovery and performance.
“They gave us a few more classes on sleep and recovery. So, I got to learn a lot from there,” she said.
India Women’s kabaddi team for 2026 Asian Games
The kabaddi contest at the 2026 Asian Games will begin on September 21, with India’s women facing Bangladesh in their opening Group A fixture. They will then take on Iran on September 23 and Japan on September 24, before the semi-finals on September 25 and the gold medal match on September 26.
The Indian women’s team:
- Pushpa Rana (captain)
- Ritu Negi
- Sonali Shingate
- Sanju Devi
- Pooja Kajla
- Ritu Sheoran
- Jyoti Thakur
- Pinki Roy
- Manisha Kumari
- Bhavna Thakur
- Raj Rani
- Nikita Kumari
Cover image courtesy: Special arrangement
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[This story has been generated from a syndicated feed and contains only minor edits]
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