Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026: India Win Both Titles, Results, Squads and Points Table
India won the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 in both divisions. On October 31, 2026, India’s men beat Sri Lanka 54-20 and India’s women beat Uganda 35-15 in the finals at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, and neither Indian team lost a match all tournament. This was the first ever Commonwealth event dedicated to kabaddi, with about 400 players in 13 men’s and 10 women’s teams. This page brings together everything about it: the winners, every result, final standings and positions, medal winners, India’s squads, top performers, records, and links to our day-by-day reports.
Who Won the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026?
India won both the men’s and the women’s titles at the first Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship. Both Indian teams were unbeaten from their first match to the final, a combined record of 14 wins from 14 matches.
| Division | Champions | Runners-up | Final score | Winning captain | Champions’ record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | India | Sri Lanka | 54-20 | Surjeet Singh | 8 wins, 0 losses |
| Women | India | Uganda | 35-15 | Nidhi Sharma | 6 wins, 0 losses |
India Men: The First Commonwealth Kabaddi Champions
Surjeet Singh’s team won all six Group A matches, beat Bangladesh 56-27 in the semifinal and then beat Sri Lanka 54-20 in the final. A different player led the scoring in almost every match: Neeraj Narwal against Malaysia, Sachin Tanwar against Nigeria, Pankaj Mohite against Sri Lanka in the group stage, Bharat Hooda in the semifinal and Aditya Shinde in the final. The defence, led by Yogesh Dahiya, Shubham Shinde, Deepak Sankar and Parvesh Bhainswal, kept every opponent to 30 points or fewer.
| India men | Detail |
|---|---|
| Captain | Surjeet Singh |
| Vice-captain | Naveen Kumar |
| Coaching staff | J Udaya Kumar, Manjeet Chhillar, Rohit Kumar |
| Matches | 8 played, 8 won |
| Points scored | 380 (average 47.5 per match) |
| Points conceded | 193 (average 24.1 per match) |
| Biggest win | 54-20 against Sri Lanka in the final (34 points) |
| Closest win | 14 points, against Uganda (44-30) and Malaysia (37-23) |
| Final top scorer | Aditya Shinde, 10 points |
India Women: The First Commonwealth Kabaddi Champions
Nidhi Sharma’s team won all four Group A matches, beat Sri Lanka 39-14 in the semifinal and beat Uganda 35-15 in the final. Sakshi was the standout raider in the knockouts, with 11 points in the semifinal and nine in the final. Captain Nidhi Sharma and Anu Sen also led the scoring in key matches, while Ritu Mitharwal and Suman Sahu anchored the defence.
| India women | Detail |
|---|---|
| Captain | Nidhi Sharma |
| Vice-captain | Ritu Mitharwal |
| Coaching staff | Kavitha Selvaraj, Jayshree Swain, Priyanka Pilania |
| Matches | 6 played, 6 won |
| Points scored | 258 (average 43 per match) |
| Points conceded | 86 (average 14.3 per match) |
| Biggest win | 73-13 against Malaysia (60 points) |
| Closest win | 32-16 against Singapore (16 points) |
| Final top scorer | Sakshi, 9 points |
The Runners-Up
Sri Lanka men won five of their six group matches, losing only to India, then beat unbeaten Kenya 28-24 in the semifinal. Uganda women finished second in Group A with three wins, then edged Kenya 23-21 in the semifinal with a tackle in the final seconds. Both runners-up lost only to India across the whole tournament.
Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026: Quick Answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Dates | October 23 to 31, 2026 |
| Venue | Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| Edition | Inaugural (first) |
| Teams | 23: 13 men’s, 10 women’s |
| Players | About 400 |
| Men’s champions | India (beat Sri Lanka 54-20) |
| Women’s champions | India (beat Uganda 35-15) |
| Organiser | Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) |
| Approved by | International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) |
| Broadcast in India | Star Sports and JioHotstar |
Key Takeaways
- India won both golds and did not lose a single match: 8 wins for the men, 6 for the women.
- Sri Lanka (men) and Uganda (women) won silver.
- Kenya won bronze in both divisions, along with Bangladesh (men) and Sri Lanka (women).
- Kenya women’s 82-6 win over England was the highest score of the tournament.
- Bangladesh’s MD Al Amin scored 24 raid points against Scotland, the joint-highest in a men’s match.
Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 Medal Winners
| Medal | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | India | India |
| Silver | Sri Lanka | Uganda |
| Bronze | Kenya | Kenya |
| Bronze | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka |
Medal Table by Country
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Sri Lanka | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Uganda | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Kenya | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Bangladesh | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 Finals
Men’s Final: India 54-20 Sri Lanka
India led 30-10 at half-time after outscoring Sri Lanka 15-2 in the last 10 minutes of the first half. Aditya Shinde scored 10 points, Bharat Hooda eight and Pankaj Mohite six, while Yogesh Dahiya made five tackle points. India led 30-11 in raid points and 14-9 in tackle points, and inflicted four all-outs. Full report: CWKC men’s final.
Men’s Final in Numbers
| Stat | India | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Successful raids | 24 of 40 | 7 of 41 |
| Raid points | 30 | 11 |
| Tackle points | 14 | 9 |
| All-outs inflicted | 4 | 0 |
| Score with 10 minutes left in the first half | 15 | 8 |
| First half | 30 | 10 |
| Second half | 24 | 10 |
| Failed do-or-die raids | Not reported | 7 of 9 |
Aditya Shinde’s 10 points came from 14 raids and gave him a Super 10. Bharat Hooda scored all eight of his points in the second half and was not tackled in seven raids, while vice-captain Naveen Kumar added five. In defence, Yogesh Dahiya completed a High 5 with five successful tackles from five attempts, all in the first half. For Sri Lanka, Dukan Maduwantha scored six tackle points, including two super tackles, but the raiders who carried them past Kenya were held to five raid points from 31 raids between them. After the match, Aditya Shinde thanked the Ahmedabad crowd for its support and said the team hoped fans would back them the same way in future competitions.
Women’s Final: India 35-15 Uganda
India led 22-7 at half-time, with Uganda failing to win a tackle point in the first half. Sakshi scored nine points, Anu Sen six and captain Nidhi Sharma five, while Ritu Mitharwal and Suman Sahu made four tackle points each. Full report: CWKC women’s final.
| Final | Time (IST) | Result | Half-time | Top scorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 7:30 PM | India 35-15 Uganda | 22-7 | Sakshi (9) |
| Men | 9:00 PM | India 54-20 Sri Lanka | 30-10 | Aditya Shinde (10) |
Finals Compared
| Stat | Men’s final | Women’s final |
|---|---|---|
| Result | India 54-20 Sri Lanka | India 35-15 Uganda |
| Half-time | 30-10 | 22-7 |
| Raid points | India 30-11 | India 20-14 |
| Tackle points | India 14-9 | India 10-1 |
| All-outs by India | 4 | 2 |
| India top scorer | Aditya Shinde (10: 6 touch, 4 bonus) | Sakshi (9: 7 touch, 2 bonus) |
| India top defender | Yogesh Dahiya (5 tackle points) | Ritu Mitharwal and Suman Sahu (4 each) |
| Opponent top scorer | Dukan Maduwantha (6 tackle points) | Nakayongo Shirat (11) |
| Margin | 34 points | 20 points |
Semifinal Results
| Division | Semifinal | Result | Top performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | India vs Bangladesh | India won 56-27 | Bharat Hooda 13, Shivam Patare 11 |
| Men | Kenya vs Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka won 28-24 | Helvic Wanjala five-point raid for Kenya |
| Women | India vs Sri Lanka | India won 39-14 | Sakshi 11, Nidhi Sharma 10 |
| Women | Kenya vs Uganda | Uganda won 23-21 | Lavenda Odhiambo 16 for Kenya |
Full report: CWKC semifinal results.
Format and Groups
Each division was split into two groups. Teams played everyone in their group once, with two points for a win. The top two in each group reached the semifinals, where group winners played the runners-up from the other group. The semifinals were on October 30 and the finals on October 31.
| Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total matches | 62 (39 men’s, 23 women’s) |
| Men’s group matches | 36 (21 in Group A, 15 in Group B) |
| Women’s group matches | 20 (10 in each group) |
| Knockout matches | 6 (4 semifinals, 2 finals) |
| Nations | 13: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Uganda, England, Scotland and Australia |
| Official theme | “One Breath. One Raid. One Commonwealth.” |
| Length | Nine days |
| Division | Group A | Group B |
|---|---|---|
| Men (13 teams) | India, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Malaysia, Tanzania, England, Nigeria | Kenya, Bangladesh, Canada, Singapore, Scotland, Australia |
| Women (10 teams) | India, Uganda, Malaysia, Nigeria, Singapore | Kenya, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Scotland, England |
Match Timings
Matches were played across afternoon and evening sessions. India’s matches were generally in the evening, with women’s games around 6:45 PM IST and men’s games around 8:00 PM IST in the group stage. Matches before 6 PM streamed only on JioHotstar, while evening matches were shown on both Star Sports and JioHotstar.
Final Group Standings
Two points for a win; teams level on points were separated by score difference.
Men’s Final Standings
Men’s Group A Standings After Day 7
| Pos | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Score difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 6 | 6 | 0 | +124 | 12 |
| 2 | Sri Lanka | 6 | 5 | 1 | +97 | 10 |
| 3 | Uganda | 6 | 4 | 2 | +75 | 8 |
| 4 | Malaysia | 6 | 3 | 3 | +56 | 6 |
| 5 | Tanzania | 6 | 2 | 4 | -21 | 4 |
| 6 | England | 6 | 1 | 5 | -58 | 2 |
| 7 | Nigeria | 6 | 0 | 6 | -273 | 0 |
Men’s Group B Standings After Day 7
| Pos | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Score difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenya | 5 | 5 | 0 | +164 | 10 |
| 2 | Bangladesh | 5 | 4 | 1 | +159 | 8 |
| 3 | Canada | 5 | 3 | 2 | +17 | 6 |
| 4 | Singapore | 5 | 2 | 3 | -10 | 4 |
| 5 | Scotland | 5 | 1 | 4 | -140 | 2 |
| 6 | Australia | 5 | 0 | 5 | -190 | 0 |
Women’s Final Standings
Women’s Group A Standings After Day 6
| Pos | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Score difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 4 | 4 | 0 | +127 | 8 |
| 2 | Uganda | 4 | 3 | 1 | +81 | 6 |
| 3 | Malaysia | 4 | 2 | 2 | +28 | 4 |
| 4 | Nigeria | 4 | 1 | 3 | -103 | 2 |
| 5 | Singapore | 4 | 0 | 4 | -133 | 0 |
Women’s Group B Standings After Day 6
| Pos | Team | Played | Won | Lost | Score difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenya | 4 | 4 | 0 | +133 | 8 |
| 2 | Sri Lanka | 4 | 3 | 1 | +100 | 6 |
| 3 | Bangladesh | 4 | 2 | 2 | +106 | 4 |
| 4 | Scotland | 4 | 1 | 3 | -131 | 2 |
| 5 | England | 4 | 0 | 4 | -208 | 0 |
Final Positions: All 23 Teams
The tables below show every team’s final position, including knockout matches. There were no classification matches, so teams knocked out in the group stage share positions with the team that finished in the same place in the other group.
Men’s Final Positions
| Position | Team | Finish | Played | Won | Lost | Points scored | Points conceded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | Gold | 8 | 8 | 0 | 380 | 193 |
| 2 | Sri Lanka | Silver | 8 | 6 | 2 | 309 | 242 |
| 3= | Kenya | Bronze | 6 | 5 | 1 | 308 | 148 |
| 3= | Bangladesh | Bronze | 6 | 4 | 2 | 324 | 194 |
| 5= | Uganda | Group stage (3rd in Group A) | 6 | 4 | 2 | 263 | 188 |
| 5= | Canada | Group stage (3rd in Group B) | 5 | 3 | 2 | 229 | 212 |
| 7= | Malaysia | Group stage (4th in Group A) | 6 | 3 | 3 | 256 | 200 |
| 7= | Singapore | Group stage (4th in Group B) | 5 | 2 | 3 | 203 | 213 |
| 9= | Tanzania | Group stage (5th in Group A) | 6 | 2 | 4 | 197 | 218 |
| 9= | Scotland | Group stage (5th in Group B) | 5 | 1 | 4 | 152 | 292 |
| 11= | England | Group stage (6th in Group A) | 6 | 1 | 5 | 194 | 252 |
| 11= | Australia | Group stage (6th in Group B) | 5 | 0 | 5 | 146 | 336 |
| 13 | Nigeria | Group stage (7th in Group A) | 6 | 0 | 6 | 114 | 387 |
Women’s Final Positions
| Position | Team | Finish | Played | Won | Lost | Points scored | Points conceded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | Gold | 6 | 6 | 0 | 258 | 86 |
| 2 | Uganda | Silver | 6 | 4 | 2 | 217 | 154 |
| 3= | Kenya | Bronze | 5 | 4 | 1 | 221 | 90 |
| 3= | Sri Lanka | Bronze | 5 | 3 | 2 | 183 | 108 |
| 5= | Malaysia | Group stage (3rd in Group A) | 4 | 2 | 2 | 161 | 133 |
| 5= | Bangladesh | Group stage (3rd in Group B) | 4 | 2 | 2 | 199 | 93 |
| 7= | Nigeria | Group stage (4th in Group A) | 4 | 1 | 3 | 83 | 186 |
| 7= | Scotland | Group stage (4th in Group B) | 4 | 1 | 3 | 94 | 225 |
| 9= | Singapore | Group stage (5th in Group A) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 65 | 198 |
| 9= | England | Group stage (5th in Group B) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 71 | 279 |
What the Numbers Show
India’s women had by far the best defence in their division, conceding only 86 points in six matches, an average of 14.3 per match. Kenya’s women were next best, with 90 points conceded in five matches. The men’s race was much closer: Kenya conceded the fewest points in total (148 in six matches), but India had a slightly better average, 24.1 points per match against Kenya’s 24.7, and India also played two more matches.
Men’s Results Day by Day
Day 1: Friday, October 23
| Division | Group | Winner | Score | Loser | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | B | Kenya | 48-28 | Singapore | 20 |
| Men | A | Sri Lanka | 48-21 | Tanzania | 27 |
| Men | B | Scotland | 59-30 | Australia | 29 |
| Men | A | India | 46-26 | England | 20 |
| Men | A | Uganda | 45-29 | Malaysia | 16 |
Day 2: Saturday, October 24
| Division | Group | Winner | Score | Loser | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | B | Bangladesh | 67-28 | Canada | 39 |
| Men | A | Sri Lanka | 50-28 | Malaysia | 22 |
| Men | B | Singapore | 50-28 | Scotland | 22 |
| Men | A | India | 44-30 | Uganda | 14 |
| Men | A | Tanzania | 66-17 | Nigeria | 49 |
Day 3: Sunday, October 25
| Division | Group | Winner | Score | Loser | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | B | Canada | 74-28 | Australia | 46 |
| Men | A | Sri Lanka | 36-34 | Uganda | 2 |
| Men | A | England | 68-18 | Nigeria | 50 |
| Men | A | India | 37-23 | Malaysia | 14 |
| Men | B | Kenya | 32-31 | Bangladesh | 1 |
Report: CWKC Day 3 results.
Day 4: Monday, October 26
| Division | Group | Winner | Score | Loser | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | B | Singapore | 59-32 | Australia | 27 |
| Men | A | Malaysia | 43-26 | Tanzania | 17 |
| Men | A | Uganda | 47-22 | England | 25 |
| Men | A | India | 50-23 | Nigeria | 27 |
| Men | B | Kenya | 80-15 | Scotland | 65 |
Report: CWKC Day 4 results.
Day 5: Tuesday, October 27
| Division | Group | Winner | Score | Loser | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | B | Bangladesh | 60-28 | Singapore | 32 |
| Men | B | Canada | 62-30 | Scotland | 32 |
| Men | A | Malaysia | 55-29 | England | 26 |
| Men | A | India | 48-20 | Tanzania | 28 |
| Men | A | Sri Lanka | 53-14 | Nigeria | 39 |
Report: CWKC Day 5 results.
Day 6: Wednesday, October 28
| Division | Group | Winner | Score | Loser | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | B | Kenya | 49-20 | Canada | 29 |
| Men | A | Malaysia | 78-13 | Nigeria | 65 |
| Men | B | Bangladesh | 69-30 | Australia | 39 |
| Men | A | Uganda | 35-28 | Tanzania | 7 |
| Men | A | Sri Lanka | 50-22 | England | 28 |
Report: CWKC Day 6 results.
Day 7: Thursday, October 29
| Division | Group | Winner | Score | Loser | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | A | Tanzania | 36-27 | England | 9 |
| Men | B | Bangladesh | 70-20 | Scotland | 50 |
| Men | A | Uganda | 72-29 | Nigeria | 43 |
| Men | B | Canada | 45-38 | Singapore | 7 |
| Men | A | India | 45-24 | Sri Lanka | 21 |
| Men | B | Kenya | 75-26 | Australia | 49 |
Report: CWKC Day 7 results.
Women’s Results Day by Day
Day 1: Friday, October 23
| Division | Group | Winner | Score | Loser | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | A | Uganda | 61-12 | Singapore | 49 |
| Women | B | Kenya | 34-25 | Bangladesh | 9 |
| Women | B | Sri Lanka | 53-10 | Scotland | 43 |
| Women | A | India | 73-13 | Malaysia | 60 |
Day 2: Saturday, October 24
| Division | Group | Winner | Score | Loser | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | B | Kenya | 23-20 | Sri Lanka | 3 |
| Women | B | Scotland | 53-36 | England | 17 |
| Women | A | Malaysia | 63-8 | Nigeria | 55 |
| Women | A | India | 32-16 | Singapore | 16 |
Day 3: Sunday, October 25
| Division | Group | Winner | Score | Loser | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | A | Nigeria | 43-20 | Singapore | 23 |
| Women | B | Sri Lanka | 65-16 | England | 49 |
| Women | B | Bangladesh | 75-15 | Scotland | 60 |
| Women | A | India | 41-18 | Uganda | 23 |
Day 4: Monday, October 26
| Division | Group | Winner | Score | Loser | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | A | Uganda | 35-23 | Malaysia | 12 |
| Women | B | Sri Lanka | 31-20 | Bangladesh | 11 |
| Women | B | Kenya | 82-6 | England | 76 |
| Women | A | India | 38-10 | Nigeria | 28 |
Day 5: Tuesday, October 27
| Division | Group | Winner | Score | Loser | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | B | Kenya | 61-16 | Scotland | 45 |
| Women | A | Malaysia | 62-17 | Singapore | 45 |
Day 6: Wednesday, October 28
| Division | Group | Winner | Score | Loser | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women | B | Bangladesh | 79-13 | England | 66 |
| Women | A | Uganda | 65-22 | Nigeria | 43 |
India’s Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 Campaign
India Men: 8 Wins From 8
| Stage | Opponent | Score | Star performer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | England | 46-26 | Opening win |
| Group A | Uganda | 44-30 | Team effort |
| Group A | Malaysia | 37-23 | Neeraj Narwal 13, two super raids |
| Group A | Nigeria | 50-23 | Sachin Tanwar 12, five-point raid |
| Group A | Tanzania | 48-20 | Shubham Shinde 5 tackle points |
| Group A | Sri Lanka | 45-24 | Pankaj Mohite 15 |
| Semifinal | Bangladesh | 56-27 | Bharat Hooda 13 |
| Final | Sri Lanka | 54-20 | Aditya Shinde 10 |
India scored 380 points and conceded 193 across eight matches. Their smallest winning margin was 14 points.
India Women: 6 Wins From 6
| Stage | Opponent | Score | Star performer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | Malaysia | 73-13 | Biggest win of India’s campaign |
| Group A | Singapore | 32-16 | Team effort |
| Group A | Uganda | 41-18 | Nidhi Sharma 9 |
| Group A | Nigeria | 38-10 | Anu Sen 11 |
| Semifinal | Sri Lanka | 39-14 | Sakshi 11 |
| Final | Uganda | 35-15 | Sakshi 9 |
India’s women scored 258 points and conceded 86 across six matches.
India Squads for the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026
India Men’s Squad
| Player | Role in the squad |
|---|---|
| Surjeet Singh | Captain |
| Naveen Kumar | Vice-captain |
| Aditya Shinde | Raider |
| Bharat Hooda | Raider |
| Pankaj Mohite | Raider |
| Neeraj Narwal | Raider |
| Sachin Tanwar | Raider |
| Shivam Patare | Raider |
| Ajit Pawar | Squad member |
| Nitesh Kumar | Squad member |
| Yogesh Dahiya | Defender |
| Shubham Shinde | Defender |
| Deepak Sankar | Defender |
| Parvesh Bhainswal | Defender |
Coaching staff: J Udaya Kumar, Manjeet Chhillar and Rohit Kumar.
India Women’s Squad
| Player | Role in the squad |
|---|---|
| Nidhi Sharma | Captain |
| Ritu Mitharwal | Vice-captain |
| Sakshi | Raider |
| Anu Sen | Raider |
| Priya | Squad member |
| Suman Sahu | Defender |
| Champa Thakur | Squad member |
| Jyoti | Squad member |
| Karthika Ramesh | Squad member |
| Muskan Sharma | Squad member |
| Renuka Choudhary | Squad member |
| Riya Kumari | Squad member |
| Sabhai Gadhavi | Squad member |
| Simran Kamboj | Squad member |
Coaching staff: Kavitha Selvaraj, Jayshree Swain and Priyanka Pilania.
Top Individual Performances
These are the highest individual scores reported in the match reports from Day 3 to the finals.
| Player | Team | Points | Opponent | Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joy Onyango | Kenya women | 27 | England | Day 4 |
| Sraboni Mollick | Bangladesh women | 27 | England | Day 6 |
| MD Al Amin | Bangladesh men | 24 raid points | Scotland | Day 7 |
| Brishti Biswas | Bangladesh women | 23 | Scotland | Day 3 |
| Nalwoga Nahia | Uganda women | 22 | Nigeria | Day 6 |
| Dipayon Golder | Bangladesh men | 21 | Australia | Day 6 |
| Tobious Muriithii | Kenya men | 21 | Australia | Day 7 |
| Mutebi Simon | Uganda men | 21 | Nigeria | Day 7 |
| Anmol Thakur | Canada men | 19 | Scotland | Day 5 |
| Anmol Thakur | Canada men | 18 | Australia | Day 3 |
| Aadit Senthilkumar | Singapore men | 18 | Australia | Day 4 |
| Nakayongo Shirat | Uganda women | 18 | Malaysia | Day 4 |
Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship Leading Scorers Going Into the Finals
Ahead of the finals, these players were among the leading point scorers of the tournament, according to the figures published before the gold medal matches. Final tournament totals were not published in the match reports.
| Player | Team | Category | Points before the finals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Md Sabihan | Sri Lanka men | Raid points | 46 |
| Neeraj Narwal | India men | Raid points | 45 |
| Naveen Kumar | India men | Raid points | 38 |
| Nakayongo Shirat | Uganda women | Raid points | 36 |
| Anu Sen | India women | Raid points | 31 |
| Santhushta | Sri Lanka men | Tackle points | 16 |
| Nalubega Olivia | Uganda women | Tackle points | 14 |
| Ritu Mitharwal | India women | Tackle points | 13 |
| Deepak Sankar | India men | Tackle points | 12 |
| Nitesh Kumar | India men | Tackle points | 12 |
Standout Players by Team
| Team | Standout players |
|---|---|
| India men | Aditya Shinde, Bharat Hooda, Pankaj Mohite, Neeraj Narwal, Sachin Tanwar, Yogesh Dahiya, Shubham Shinde |
| India women | Sakshi, Nidhi Sharma, Anu Sen, Ritu Mitharwal, Suman Sahu |
| Sri Lanka men | Milinda Chathuranga, Md Sabihan, Adhan Viduranga, Dukan Maduwantha |
| Sri Lanka women | Deshani, Kajenthini, Dilukshana |
| Kenya men | Tobious Muriithii, Stephen Adongo, Helvic Wanjala |
| Kenya women | Lavenda Odhiambo, Joy Onyango, Esther Omolo |
| Bangladesh men | Dipayon Golder, MD Al Amin, Md Liton Ali, Mijanur Rahman |
| Bangladesh women | Sraboni Mollick, Brishti Biswas |
| Uganda men | Douglas Mulalira, Mutebi Simon |
| Uganda women | Nakayongo Shirat, Nalwoga Nahia, Nalubega Olivia, Beatrice Namataka |
| Canada men | Anmol Thakur, Manpreet Singh |
| Malaysia | Isaac Alton Andrew (men); Shamitra, Darsini Singh (women) |
| Tanzania men | Juma Sultani, Ali Bakari |
| England men | Felix Li, Ahrujan Ragunathan, Alvin Jaison |
| Singapore | Aadit Senthilkumar, Sriraam Raja (men); Sindini Anandarajan (women) |
| Nigeria | Ita Edem (men); Robert Moses, Dennis Udeme (women) |
| Australia men | Divjot Singh, Reuben William, Jasmeet Grewal |
| Scotland men | Arun Sidhu |
Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026: Team-by-Team Review
Here is how each of the 13 nations performed at the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026. Records include knockout matches.
India
Double champions of the first Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship. The men won 8 of 8 and the women 6 of 6. No opponent scored more than 30 points against India in either division, and both finals were won by 20 points or more.
Sri Lanka
Men’s silver and women’s bronze. The men lost only to India, twice, and beat unbeaten Kenya 28-24 in the semifinal. The women finished second in Group B and beat Bangladesh to reach the last four. Md Sabihan was one of the tournament’s most productive raiders.
Kenya
Bronze in both divisions, making Kenya the only nation apart from India and Sri Lanka to win two medals at the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship. Kenya’s men won all five Group B matches before losing their semifinal to Sri Lanka, and the women set the tournament’s highest score, 82-6 against England. Lavenda Odhiambo and Joy Onyango were among the women’s top raiders.
Uganda
Women’s silver, Uganda’s best result at the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship. Uganda’s women beat Kenya 23-21 in a dramatic semifinal, with Nakayongo Shirat and Nalwoga Nahia leading the attack. The men finished third in Group A with four wins, losing only to India and, by two points, to Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh
Men’s bronze. The men lost only to Kenya (by one point) in the group stage and to India in the semifinal. Dipayon Golder and MD Al Amin were two of the most dangerous raiders in the tournament. The women won big against Scotland and England but missed the semifinals in a tough group.
Malaysia
Malaysia’s men lost their first three matches, then won three in a row, including 78-13 against Nigeria, to finish fourth in Group A. The women finished third in Group A with two wins.
Canada
Canada’s men finished third in Group B with three wins. Anmol Thakur and Manpreet Singh were among the tournament’s most consistent raiders, and Canada were the first men’s team to score more than 70 points in a match.
Singapore
Singapore’s men finished fourth in Group B with two wins, led by Aadit Senthilkumar. Their women’s team lost all four matches but had a strong raider in Sindini Anandarajan.
Tanzania
Tanzania’s men won two of six matches, including a 66-17 win over Nigeria. Juma Sultani was one of the most consistent raiders in Group A.
Scotland
Scotland’s men won one match, against Australia on the opening day, and the women beat England 53-36 for their only win.
England
England’s men beat Nigeria 68-18 for their only win, with captain Felix Li leading the scoring. The women lost all four group matches.
Australia
Australia’s men did not win a match but had bright spots in raiders Divjot Singh, Reuben William and Jasmeet Grewal.
Nigeria
Nigeria’s men lost all six matches, but the women recorded a historic first win, 43-20 against Singapore, with Robert Moses and Dennis Udeme starring.
Records and Milestones
| Record | Detail |
|---|---|
| Highest team score | Kenya women 82-6 England (Day 4) |
| Most all-outs in a women’s match | 8, set by Kenya against England and matched again by Kenya against Scotland and by Uganda against Nigeria |
| Most all-outs in a men’s match | 12, by Bangladesh against Australia (Day 6) |
| First men’s team to score 70+ | Canada, 74-28 against Australia (Day 3) |
| Joint-highest men’s individual tally | 24 raid points, MD Al Amin (Bangladesh) against Scotland |
| Five-point raids | Sachin Tanwar (India) against Nigeria; Helvic Wanjala (Kenya) against Sri Lanka |
| Closest men’s match | Kenya 32-31 Bangladesh (Day 3) |
| Closest women’s match | Uganda 23-21 Kenya (semifinal) |
| Biggest final margin | India men 54-20 Sri Lanka (34 points) |
Day-by-Day Highlights
| Day | Date | Headline | Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | October 23 | India men beat England 46-26; India women beat Malaysia 73-13 | Results above |
| Day 2 | October 24 | India men beat Uganda 44-30; India women beat Singapore 32-16 | Results above |
| Day 3 | October 25 | India beat Malaysia and Uganda; Kenya edge Bangladesh 32-31 | Day 3 report (linked above) |
| Day 4 | October 26 | India women qualify; Kenya women win 82-6 | Day 4 report (linked above) |
| Day 5 | October 27 | India men qualify with a 48-20 win over Tanzania | Day 5 report (linked above) |
| Day 6 | October 28 | Women’s semifinals set; Sri Lanka men qualify | Day 6 report (linked above) |
| Day 7 | October 29 | India beat Sri Lanka 45-24 to top Group A | Day 7 report (linked above) |
| Day 8 | October 30 | India reach both finals; Sri Lanka and Uganda join them | Semifinal report (linked above) |
| Day 9 | October 31 | India win both golds | Women’s final and men’s final (linked above) |
Venue: Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, Ahmedabad
All matches were played at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The indoor arena was set up with a single competition mat, branded with the slogan “Gujarat ki dharti par kabaddi ka mahotsav” (a kabaddi festival on the soil of Gujarat). Entry was free with an online ticket, which helped bring big home crowds for India’s matches. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi attended the semifinals, and Haryana cabinet minister Krishan Lal Panwar was the special guest for the toss of India vs Sri Lanka on Day 7.
| Venue fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| City | Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| Arena | Veer Savarkar Sports Complex |
| Entry | Free, with online ticket booking |
| Matches hosted | All group, semifinal and final matches |
For Pro Kabaddi host cities, see our PKL venues guide.
How the Tournament Was Broadcast
Star Sports showed the championship on television in India, and JioHotstar streamed every match. Afternoon matches before 6 PM were streamed only on JioHotstar, while evening matches, including all of India’s games and both finals, were also on Star Sports. These are the same platforms that carried Pro Kabaddi Season 12, as explained in our PKL live streaming guide.
| Match time | Star Sports (TV) | JioHotstar (streaming) |
|---|---|---|
| Before 6 PM IST | No | Yes |
| 6 PM IST and later | Yes | Yes |
| Finals | Yes | Yes |
Why the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship Matters
A New Stage for Kabaddi
Kabaddi is not part of the Commonwealth Games programme. A dedicated Commonwealth championship gives the sport an international platform among the 56 Commonwealth nations, many of which have South Asian communities. It also gives developing kabaddi nations, especially in Africa, a rare chance to play competitive matches against Asian teams.
A Step Towards the 2030 Commonwealth Games?
Ahmedabad is due to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Organisers presented this championship as a way to strengthen kabaddi’s case for inclusion in those Games and to show the city’s ability to host international events. Kabaddi’s place on the 2030 programme has not been confirmed.
Africa’s Breakthrough
The biggest story outside India’s double was the rise of African kabaddi. Kenya won two bronze medals, Uganda’s women won silver, and Uganda’s men finished third in their group. These teams beat established nations and pushed others close. It suggests that kabaddi’s growth in East Africa is real and gathering pace.
The Diaspora Effect
Teams like Canada, Australia, England and Singapore were built partly on players from South Asian communities. Canada’s Anmol Thakur and Manpreet Singh were among the most prolific raiders in the tournament. That reflects kabaddi’s strong roots in diaspora communities, especially among Punjabi families in Canada and the UK.
Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship and Pro Kabaddi League
Many of India’s players are Pro Kabaddi League regulars, and two of the men’s coaching staff, Manjeet Chhillar and Rohit Kumar, are former PKL players. The tournament gave PKL fans a chance to see familiar names such as Naveen Kumar, Surjeet Singh, Bharat Hooda and Parvesh Bhainswal in national colours during a long gap between PKL seasons. Strong performances in Ahmedabad could influence how franchises value players at the PKL 13 auction, and fans waiting for the league’s return can read why PKL 13 is delayed.
| Link with PKL | Detail |
|---|---|
| Players | Many India squad members are PKL regulars |
| Coaches | Manjeet Chhillar and Rohit Kumar are former PKL players |
| Broadcaster | Star Sports and JioHotstar, as in PKL Season 12 |
| Timing | Played during the long gap before PKL Season 13, now reported for mid-2027 |
The 12 PKL Teams Waiting for These Stars
Most of India’s Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship winners play in the Pro Kabaddi League. When Season 13 begins, they will be spread across the league’s 12 franchises.
| Logo | PKL team | Home base |
|---|---|---|
 | Dabang Delhi K.C. | Delhi |
 | Puneri Paltan | Pune |
 | Bengaluru Bulls | Bengaluru |
 | Telugu Titans | Hyderabad |
 | Haryana Steelers | Haryana |
 | U Mumba | Mumbai |
 | Patna Pirates | Patna |
 | Jaipur Pink Panthers | Jaipur |
 | UP Yoddhas | Uttar Pradesh |
 | Tamil Thalaivas | Chennai |
 | Gujarat Giants | Ahmedabad |
 | Bengal Warriorz | Kolkata |
What Comes Next
As the first edition, this tournament set the benchmark for future Commonwealth kabaddi events. Dates for a second edition have not been announced. For Indian fans, the next big kabaddi event is Pro Kabaddi Season 13. According to reports from November 1, 2026, it will not be played in 2026 and is likely in a June–July 2027 window, because the league has not yet signed a new broadcast deal. The league has not confirmed this officially. Our PKL schedule page will have the fixtures once they are released.
Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026: Our View
The first Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship was a success on and off the mat. India’s double, with 14 wins from 14 matches across both divisions, confirmed their place at the top of the sport. Just as importantly, the tournament showed how quickly the sport is growing in Africa and among diaspora communities. If future editions keep that balance of elite quality and new nations, this could become an important event in the kabaddi calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026?
India won both titles. The men beat Sri Lanka 54-20 and the women beat Uganda 35-15 in the finals on October 31, 2026.
Where was the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 held?
At the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, from October 23 to 31, 2026.
How many teams took part?
Twenty-three teams: 13 men’s and 10 women’s, with about 400 players in total.
Who organised the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship?
The Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India organised it, with approval from the International Kabaddi Federation.
Did India lose any match at CWKC 2026?
No. India’s men won all eight matches and India’s women won all six.
Who were the captains of India’s teams?
Surjeet Singh captained the men, with Naveen Kumar as vice-captain. Nidhi Sharma captained the women, with Ritu Mitharwal as vice-captain.
Who won bronze medals at CWKC 2026?
Kenya and Bangladesh in the men’s division, and Kenya and Sri Lanka in the women’s division.
Where could fans watch the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship?
On Star Sports and JioHotstar in India. Matches before 6 PM IST streamed only on JioHotstar.
What was the highest score of the tournament?
Kenya women’s 82-6 win over England on Day 4.
Is kabaddi part of the Commonwealth Games?
No. The Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship is a separate event, approved by the International Kabaddi Federation.
Who won the men’s Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026?
India, captained by Surjeet Singh, beat Sri Lanka 54-20 in the final. Aditya Shinde was the top scorer with 10 points.
Who won the women’s Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026?
India, captained by Nidhi Sharma, beat Uganda 35-15 in the final. Sakshi was the top scorer with nine points.
Which team had the best defence?
India had the lowest average points conceded per match in both divisions: 24.1 for the men and 14.3 for the women. Kenya’s men conceded the fewest points in total, 148 in six matches.
How many matches were played at the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026?
Sixty-two: 39 in the men’s competition and 23 in the women’s.
What was the theme of the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship?
“One Breath. One Raid. One Commonwealth.”