India men’s kabaddi captain Sunil Kumar has sent a strong message to Iran ahead of the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The experienced defender believes India have a much stronger team this time and has set an ambitious target for a possible clash against Iran.
Speaking from India’s preparatory camp in Bellary, Karnataka, Sunil said the team is aiming to defeat Iran by 10 to 15 points. He also highlighted the improvement in India’s squad compared to the team that won gold at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
“We’re aiming to beat Iran by 10 to 15 points this time. We have a very strong team. This is a much better team than the one we had at the 2023 Asian Games. We are strong in both departments, attack and defence,” Sunil said.
The bold statement has added more excitement to an already intense rivalry between the two Asian kabaddi giants.
Sunil Kumar Responds to Iran Challenge
The comments from Sunil Kumar Iran kabaddi rivalry came after Iranian star all-rounder Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh issued his own challenge before the tournament.
Shadloui has made it clear that Iran are determined to reclaim the Asian Games gold medal in Japan. His confidence has now been met by Sunil, who believes India are better prepared than they were three years ago.
The Indian captain’s statement also shows how seriously the team is preparing for a potential India vs Iran kabaddi clash.
India and Iran Have a Long Rivalry
India and Iran have produced some of the most memorable matches in modern men’s kabaddi. Their rivalry became even more intense after the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.
Iran defeated India 27-18 in the semifinal, handing India their first-ever defeat at the Asian Games and ending their run of seven consecutive gold medals.
Five years later, India got their revenge in the 2023 Hangzhou final. India defeated Iran 33-29 in a dramatic contest to win the gold medal. The match was also affected by a controversial refereeing dispute, adding further tension between the two teams.
India Want to Avoid Another Close Finish
Sunil understands that past results cannot guarantee success in Japan. The captain has stressed that India cannot afford to become complacent and wants the team to control matches instead of allowing opponents to take them down to the final moments.
India have undergone intensive preparation at the Inspire Institute of Sport under head coach Balwan Singh and deputy coach B.C. Ramesh. The coaching team has focused on physical conditioning, tactical preparation and building a balanced unit.
Sunil believes the current squad is stronger in both attack and defence. The team will also look to maintain its composure against Iran’s physical style of play.
Sunil Kumar Sets His Target for Asian Games 2026
Sunil Kumar’s Asian Games 2026 campaign will be closely followed as India look to defend their men’s kabaddi title.
As India kabaddi captain, Sunil Kumar, the experienced defender, will have a major role both on and off the mat. His target of beating Iran by 10 to 15 points is certainly ambitious, but it also reflects India’s confidence.
If India and Iran meet in Japan, their latest encounter could become another major chapter in one of kabaddi’s biggest international rivalries.
