The Indian U18 Kabaddi contingent stamped their authority on the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025 in Bahrain with a spectacular double triumph on Day 2 evening, as both the boys’ and girls’ teams recorded emphatic victories to all but confirm their place in the finals.
In a contest that lived up to the historical intensity of the India–Pakistan rivalry, the Indian Boys’ Team produced a breathtaking performance to beat Pakistan 81–26, marking one of the largest-ever margins of victory (55 points) in international Kabaddi history. The girls followed suit, overpowering Iran 59–26, completing a perfect day for Indian youth Kabaddi at the Isa Sports City Indoor Arena in Manama.
A 55-Point Statement: India Boys Dismantle Pakistan
For the Indian boys, this wasn’t just a win it was an assertion of dominance. Entering the match unbeaten after victories against Bangladesh (83–19) and Sri Lanka (89–16) earlier in the group stage, the team led by captain Aditya Dahiya delivered a flawless, high-intensity performance against arch-rivals Pakistan. Right from the first whistle, India’s strategy was evident fast-paced raiding rotations combined with aggressive defensive coordination. Within the first five minutes, India had inflicted two all-outs, racing to a 20–4 lead. Pakistan’s attempts to slow down the game through defensive holds were repeatedly undone by India’s superior agility and tactical precision.
By halftime, the scoreboard read 43–12, with India showcasing near-perfect execution in both departments. The second half saw India’s bench strength take over, yet the dominance didn’t waver. Substitute raider Manav Suryavanshi scored six successive points, while right-corner defender Ritik Saini registered four tackles in a row a testament to India’s depth and discipline.
The final score 81–26 was more than a victory; it was a benchmark performance in youth Kabaddi. The 55-point winning margin stands among the top three highest in Asian youth Kabaddi history, underlining India’s unmatched supremacy in the format.
While the raiders drew applause for their attacking flair, it was India’s defensive cohesion that truly broke Pakistan’s rhythm. The right-left corner duo of Ritik Saini and Harshit Meena trapped Pakistan’s leading raider Abdullah Khan on multiple occasions, cutting off his escape lanes with surgical precision. The cover defenders Gaurav Dabas and Jitesh Malik maintained compact formations, reading Pakistan’s movement and forcing unforced errors. Every attempted bonus or toe touch was met with calculated aggression.
India Girls Outclass Iran in a 59–26 Power Show
If the boys’ match was a statement of dominance, the girls’ 59–26 win over Iran was a showcase of technical superiority. The match, billed as a rematch of the 2018 U18 Asian Championship final, began evenly, with Iran leading 10–8 in the first 10 minutes through their ace raider Fatemeh Rezaei. However, once India’s skipper Shreya Mahajan and raider Arpita Singh found their rhythm, the contest transformed dramatically. The duo combined for 34 raid points between them, as India executed a stunning turnaround to lead 31–14 at halftime.
The second half was pure dominance. India’s defensive line, anchored by Komal Dahiya and Manasi More, executed back-to-back super tackles, denying Iran’s lead raiders any breathing room. The transition play rapid recovery from defense to attack was particularly impressive, allowing India to maintain relentless pressure. By the final whistle, India had scored 59 points their highest total in the tournament so far completing their second win in as many days after beating Bangladesh 46–18 on Day 1.
With two commanding victories, the Indian girls have virtually sealed a place in the gold medal match, likely against Thailand, who remain unbeaten in the other group fixtures.
Away from the Indian dominance, Bangladesh Boys emerged as one of the stories of the tournament, defeating Iran 55–48 in a pulsating contest earlier in the day before edging Sri Lanka 53–40 in the evening. The results confirmed Bangladesh’s second consecutive win a remarkable turnaround for a team that had finished fifth in the previous edition. The performance also reshaped the group standings, keeping them in semifinal contention alongside India and Iran.
Dominance Reflected in Numbers
India’s Kabaddi teams both boys and girls have now played six matches combined, winning all six with an average victory margin exceeding 45 points. Such numbers not only highlight India’s control but also their adaptability across opponents from the fast-paced Thais to the tactical Iranians and the physical Pakistanis.
Behind India’s success lies a well-structured youth development framework introduced by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) in 2022. The Junior National Championships and Khelo India Youth Games have served as crucial scouting grounds, while training camps at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala, and Sonipat Sports School have honed skills in line with international standards.
The 2025 youth squads are the first to benefit from the AI-assisted analytics system introduced during the Khelo India Games an innovation that helps coaches assess raid success rates, defensive formations, and real-time fatigue indicators. These analytics-driven insights are proving pivotal, especially in youth competitions where tactical adaptability defines success.
With these wins, India’s boys and girls are set to top their respective groups and advance to the finals, scheduled for October 23 at Isa Sports City. The boys are likely to face Iran or Bangladesh, while the girls are on course for a rematch against Thailand, who have also remained unbeaten.
As the sun set on Day 2 of the Asian Youth Games 2025, India’s Kabaddi contingent stood as the tournament’s undisputed powerhouse. The boys’ monumental 81–26 win over Pakistan will go down as one of the defining results of youth Kabaddi history a match that showcased not just skill, but the spirit and precision that define India’s sporting excellence.
With both the boys and girls sitting atop their tables, Indian Kabaddi’s next generation has not only dominated Bahrain’s mats but also reaffirmed a simple truth in the world of Kabaddi, India doesn’t just participate; it sets the standard.
Day 2 Evening Key Results, Asian Youth Games 2025, Bahrain
Boys: 🇮🇳 India 81–26 🇵🇰 Pakistan
Girls: 🇮🇳 India 59–26 🇮🇷 Iran
Boys: 🇧🇩 Bangladesh 53–40 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
Girls: 🇧🇩 Bangladesh 30–38 🇹🇭 Thailand
