India will enter the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with a new-look men’s kabaddi team. Only four gold medalists from the Hangzhou 2023 squad have been retained, making this campaign an important moment for a new generation of Indian players. The raiding department has several exciting names who have impressed in the Pro Kabaddi League and domestic competitions. Devank Dalal, Ayan Lohchab and Arjun Deshwal stand out as three of the biggest raiding options for India.
1. Devank Dalal
Devank Dalal is one of the most exciting young raiders in the Indian squad. The right raider enjoyed an excellent PKL Season 12 campaign, finishing as the second highest raid point scorer with 271 raid points. His performances showed his ability to score quickly while also finding ways to escape difficult defensive situations.
Devank’s biggest strengths include rapid hand touches, deceptive footwork and strong movement around the baulk line. He is also effective against chain tackles because of his ability to change direction and escape defenders. After his impressive PKL campaign, he continued his strong form by winning the Best Player Award at the 5th Senior Federation Cup 2026 with Services. For the India kabaddi raiders Asian Games 2026 group, Devank could become an important primary attacking option.
2. Ayan Lohchab
Ayan Lohchab enters the Asian Games after an outstanding PKL Season 12 campaign. The left raider finished as the league’s top scorer after collecting an impressive 316 raid points in 22 matches. His consistency and ability to score from the left side give India another major attacking weapon.
Ayan’s role becomes even more important because quality left raiders are highly valuable in international kabaddi. He can target the opposition right corner with deep toe touches and also pick up bonus points with quick movements across the bonus line. Against strong defensive teams such as Iran and South Korea, his ability to attack from a different angle could provide India with an important tactical advantage.
3. Arjun Deshwal
Arjun Deshwal brings valuable experience to the Indian raiding unit. The right raider was part of India’s gold medal winning campaign at the previous Asian Games and has continued to produce strong numbers in the PKL. He collected 209 raid points in the preceding PKL campaign, showing that he remains a dependable attacking option.
Unlike some younger raiders who rely heavily on speed and surprise, Deshwal is known for controlling the pace of his raids. He understands when to take risks and when to play safely, especially during do or die raids. His experience and mat awareness could become extremely valuable in close matches.
India’s Raiding Strength
The Indian squad also includes Ashu Malik, giving the team further depth in the raiding department. With Devank, Ayan and Deshwal offering different styles, India has a strong combination of speed, experience and tactical variety.
The best raiders India kabaddi team has selected will face some of Asia’s strongest defenses in Japan. Among the Asian Games kabaddi best raiders, Devank’s recent rise is particularly exciting, while Ayan and Deshwal provide balance and experience. Together, they could play a major role in India’s bid for another Asian Games gold medal.
