The 72nd Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship 2026 concluded on February 27 in Vadodara, delivering one of the most unpredictable editions in the tournament’s history. The championship was marked by the early exit of several heavyweights, paving the way for a new era of domestic dominance.
Major Upsets and Knockout Drama
The tournament’s biggest headlines came during the quarter-finals, where the tournament’s giants were systematically dismantled by underdogs and rising squads:
- Defending Champions Out: Uttar Pradesh caused the shock of the tournament by defeating the reigning champions, Services, in a 55–51 thriller. Arjun Deshwal was the architect of the win, scoring a massive 19 points to knock out a Services lineup that featured stars like Naveen Kumar and Bharat Hooda.
- Haryana’s Tie-Breaker Exit: 2024 champions Haryana were ousted in the pre-quarterfinals by Tamil Nadu. The match ended in a 35–35 stalemate, but Tamil Nadu held their nerve to win the tie-breaker 7–4.
- Maharashtra’s Clinical Run: Led by the raiding duo of Ajit Chouhan and Aditya Shinde, Maharashtra cruised through the knockouts, comfortably beating Himachal Pradesh 53–38 in the quarters to secure their semifinal berth.
The Final Four and Championship Path
As the tournament entered its final day on February 27, 2026, the bracket for the championship looked vastly different from previous years:
| Stage | Matchup | Result / Significance |
| Semi-Final 1 | Uttar Pradesh vs. Maharashtra | A battle between Deshwal’s raiding and Maharashtra’s balanced defense. |
| Semi-Final 2 | Indian Railways vs. Chandigarh | The veteran Railways squad facing off against the clinical Chandigarh side. |
| Final | TBD vs. TBD | Scheduled for 6:00 PM local time on Feb 27. |
Key Standouts from Vadodara
- Arjun Deshwal (UP): Proved why he is one of the world’s best, carrying Uttar Pradesh on his shoulders through the toughest side of the bracket.
- Mitesh Prajapati (Gujarat): Although the hosts were knocked out by Bihar in the quarters, Prajapati’s 21-point opening day performance was a tournament highlight.
- Deepak Sankar (Tamil Nadu): The PKL 12 “New Young Player” lived up to the hype, anchoring a defense that neutralized some of the league’s top raiders.
