India are preparing for the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026, scheduled to take place from October 23 to 31 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The tournament is expected to bring together teams from across the Commonwealth, with India aiming to build on their recent success at the 2026 Asian Games.
Several established Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) players, including Naveen Kumar, Sachin Tanwar, Bharat Hooda and Surjeet Singh, have been named in reported squad lists.
J. Udaya Kumar has been identified in tournament reports as India’s men’s head coach, with Manjeet Chhillar and Rohit Kumar named as assistant coaches. However, an official federation announcement confirming these appointments has not been independently verified.
The competition could provide an opportunity for players outside India’s Asian Games-winning squad to demonstrate their abilities at the international level.
Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026: Dates and Venue
The first Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship is scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad from October 23 to 31, 2026. Recent tournament reports identify the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex as the venue.
India will host the competition following their successful campaign at the Asian Games, where the men’s team defeated Iran 40-34 in the final to secure their ninth gold medal in the competition.
Reports indicate that members of the Asian Games gold medal-winning squad have been rested for the Commonwealth tournament, opening the door for other players to represent the national team.
The Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) released an initial 17-player list of probables for the preparation camp. Subsequent reports have described both 14-player and 12-player selections, creating uncertainty over the final squad size.
India Men’s Squad for Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026
Several media outlets have published a 14-player India squad for the inaugural championship.
However, other reports refer to a 12-member selection. An independently verified final AKFI roster is needed to establish whether these lists represent different selection stages or contain reporting discrepancies.
The following 14 players appear in published squad reports:
Raiders
- Sachin Tanwar
- Naveen Kumar
- Pankaj Mohite
- Aditya Shinde
- Shivam Patare
Defenders
- Surjeet Singh
- Ajit Pawar
- Parvesh Malik
- Shubham Shinde
- Nitesh Kumar
- Yogesh Dahiya
- Deepak Sankar
All-Rounders
- Bharat Hooda
- Neeraj Narwal
This selection provides India with multiple attacking options and an experienced defensive unit. Nevertheless, the list should be treated as a probable squad rather than a fully verified final selection.
Some names also differ from those published in a separate Kabaddi Champions League announcement, making confirmation of individual player identities important.
Naveen Kumar and Sachin Tanwar Among India’s Raiding Options
Naveen Kumar is among the established raiders included in the reported 14-member squad. The experienced attacker has built a strong reputation through his performances in the Pro Kabaddi League and could provide valuable experience if his selection is confirmed.
Sachin Tanwar offers another established option in attack, giving India flexibility when selecting their starting raiders.
Pankaj Mohite, Aditya Shinde and Shivam Patare provide additional depth. Their inclusion would give the coaching staff several alternatives when developing attacking combinations against different opponents.
However, the final raiding unit will depend on the officially confirmed squad.
Surjeet Singh and Nitesh Kumar Feature in Defence
India’s reported defensive resources include several players with experience in domestic kabaddi. Surjeet Singh is among the established names in the 14-player list and could play an important role in organising the defensive unit.
Nitesh Kumar, Yogesh Dahiya and Deepak Sankar provide additional options.
Ajit Pawar, Parvesh Malik and Shubham Shinde also appear in the reported selection.
The defenders will be responsible for coordinating tackles, stopping opposition raids and maintaining pressure during crucial stages of matches.
The final defensive combination remains subject to confirmation of India’s official tournament roster.
Bharat Hooda and Neeraj Narwal Provide All-Round Options
Bharat Hooda and Neeraj Narwal are listed as India’s two all-rounders in the reported 14-player selection. Their versatility could allow the coaching staff to adjust the balance between attack and defence during matches.
Both players have also been named among those associated with the Kabaddi Champions League ecosystem.
Their presence in the reported selection highlights the potential role of domestic competitions in providing opportunities for players seeking international representation.
J. Udaya Kumar Reported as India Men’s Head Coach
Tournament reports identify J. Udaya Kumar as the head coach of India’s men’s team for the inaugural championship. Former players Manjeet Chhillar and Rohit Kumar have been named as assistant coaches.
However, these appointments have not been independently confirmed through an official AKFI announcement.
If confirmed, the coaching staff will oversee preparations, evaluate player performances and determine the most effective combinations for the tournament.
One proposed squad structure includes four raiders, six defenders and two all-rounders, providing a balance between attack and defence.
The final selection and playing combinations will depend on the available players and the coaching staff’s assessment.
Seven Kabaddi Champions League Players Linked With India Squad
The Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) has highlighted the selection of seven players associated with its domestic competition structure.
In an announcement published on October 18, KCL described seven of India’s probable 14 squad members as players connected with its ecosystem.
The players named were:
- Naveen Goyat
- Surjeet Narwal
- Parvesh Bhainswal
- Bharat Hooda
- Nitesh Kumar
- Yogesh Dahiya
- Neeraj Narwal
The KCL announcement differs from the other reported squad list in several player names, including Naveen Kumar and Naveen Goyat, Surjeet Singh and Surjeet Narwal, and Parvesh Malik and Parvesh Bhainswal.
The KCL announcement highlighted the role of domestic competitions in providing players with opportunities to progress towards international representation.
Naveen Goyat welcomed the opportunity to represent India.
“Representing India is always a matter of immense pride. Platforms such as KCL provide players with opportunities to compete, improve their game and work towards bigger goals. It is encouraging to see players from the KCL ecosystem featuring in the national squad,” he said.
Surjeet Narwal also emphasised the importance of competitive domestic leagues.
“Playing for the country is a special responsibility. Competitive leagues help players maintain their standards and prepare for bigger challenges. It is a proud moment to see several players associated with KCL in the Indian team,” Narwal said.
Parvesh Bhainswal highlighted the value of regular playing opportunities.
“Every player dreams of representing the country. Consistent competition and the right opportunities are important for an athlete’s development. The presence of seven KCL-associated players in the squad reflects the importance of a strong domestic kabaddi structure,” he said.
Bharat Hooda also expressed his determination to perform well for India.
“The Indian jersey carries great responsibility, and every opportunity to represent the country is special. We hope to make the country proud at the championship.”
The announcement reflects the growing importance of domestic competitions in India’s kabaddi development system.
Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026: Participating Countries
The inaugural tournament is expected to feature teams from several Commonwealth nations. Some reports indicate that 13 countries will participate following Pakistan’s withdrawal.
However, the final number of participating nations and Pakistan’s reported withdrawal have not been independently confirmed through an authoritative organiser announcement.
The following countries appear in the reported participant list:
- India
- Australia
- Bangladesh
- England
- Nigeria
- Scotland
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Canada
- Sri Lanka
- Uganda
This list should be regarded as provisional until the organisers publish the final entries and competition schedule.
The championship is intended to provide participating teams with an opportunity to compete against international opposition and gain valuable experience.
For India, the tournament represents another chance to demonstrate their strength in kabaddi on home soil.
Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026: Tournament Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 |
| Edition | Inaugural |
| Reported dates | October 23–31, 2026 |
| Host city | Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| Reported venue | Veer Savarkar Sports Complex |
| Participating nations | 13 reported; final list unconfirmed |
| Reported India head coach | J. Udaya Kumar |
| Reported assistant coaches | Manjeet Chhillar, Rohit Kumar |
| Reported India squad size | 14 players in several reports; 12 in others |
| Official final squad | Awaiting independent confirmation |
| Previous major achievement | Asian Games 2026 men’s gold medal |
The details reflect available tournament reporting as of October 20, 2026. Official squad registrations, participating nations and final scheduling information may clarify the remaining discrepancies.
What to Expect From India at Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026
India will enter the tournament with high expectations following their Asian Games success. In the final, India defeated Iran 40-34 to claim their ninth Asian Games gold medal in men’s kabaddi.
Although reports suggest that members of the gold medal-winning squad have been rested, the published player lists include several established PKL performers and promising domestic talents. Naveen Kumar, Sachin Tanwar and Bharat Hooda are among the attacking options identified in the 14-player report, while Surjeet Singh and Nitesh Kumar feature among the defensive selections.
The tournament could allow India’s coaching staff to evaluate new combinations and assess players who may become important members of the national team in future competitions.
With the championship scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad, India will have the advantage of competing on home soil as they pursue the inaugural title. A strong Commonwealth Championship campaign could improve their prospects of future international selection.
