India edged past Iran 33-28 at the Dong-Eui Institute of Technology Seokdang Cultural Center in Busan, Republic of Korea, on Thursday to enter the final of the Asian Kabaddi Championships in 2023.
The only team to remain unbeaten in the tournament so far, India secured their spot in the finals with the win. Captain Pawan Sehrawat led the team from the front, scoring 16 points in the match.
While India had easily won their first three matches of the tournament, they faced their toughest assignment yet against Iran. Two of the most accomplished teams in the sport, India and Iran are the only countries to have won the title at the Asian Kabaddi Championships. India have won the tournament seven times while Iran claimed the title in 2003.
Unbeaten in the tournament ahead of their clash on Thursday, India and Iran started the match cautiously. India jumped to a sizeable lead in the 11th minute when Aslam Inamdar returned with a two-point raid and helped the team inflict the first all-out on Iran.
The Indians went into the half-time with a 19-9 lead but Iran mounted a spirited comeback in the second half.
The West Asian side handed India their first all-out of the tournament. With only a minute left on the clock they closed the gap to just two points. However a super tackle by Indian defenders and a two-point raid by Pro Kabaddi star Arjun Deshwal helped India seal the deal.
This edition of the Asian Kabaddi Championships features six teams -- India, Iran, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Japan. After a round-robin stage the top two teams will face-off in the final.
India play their last league match against Hong Kong on Friday, followed by the final.
Where to watch Asian Kabaddi Championship 2023 in India?
There is no broadcast of the tournament in India but the viewers in India watch the live action on the official YouTube channel of the tournament.
India vs Hong Kong is scheduled for a 7:30am IST start while the final will begin at 10:30am IST.
Indian men's squad for the Asian Kabaddi Championship 2023
Indian men's squad: Arjun Deshwal, Naveen Kumar, Sachin, Aslam Inamdar, Mohit Goyat, Sunil Kumar, Parvesh Bhainswal, Nitin Rawal, Nitesh Kumar, Surjeet Singh, Vishal Bhardwaj, Pawan Sehrawat
Stand-by players: Vijay Malik, Shubham Shinde
Coaches: Ashan Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar
Manager: Bhaskaran Edachery
