The 72nd Senior Nationals Men’s Kabaddi Championship 2026 got underway at the Sama Indoor Complex in Vadodara on Tuesday, with opening-day fixtures delivering a series of commanding performances from some of the country’s traditional powerhouses.
Teams including Indian Railways, Tamil Nadu, and Chandigarh began their campaigns on a dominant note, underlining their intent early in the tournament.
A total of 29 teams, divided into eight pools, are competing in this year’s championship, which brings together a blend of seasoned professionals and emerging domestic talent from across the country. Day 1 featured eight matches across Pools A to H, with Chandigarh, Tamil Nadu, Indian Railways, and Gujarat all registering victories to make strong starts in their respective groups.
Among the standout individual efforts of the day was Gujarat’s Mitesh Prajapati, who delivered a remarkable all-round performance by scoring 21 points to guide his side to victory. In another notable display, Vidarbha’s Adesh Warkhade put in a valiant effort, amassing 28 points in a closely contested encounter. However, despite his contribution, Vidarbha fell short, losing by a narrow four-point margin in what proved to be one of the more competitive fixtures of the day.
Pool A saw Chandigarh produce one of the most emphatic performances of the opening round. They overwhelmed Jharkhand with a resounding 76–32 victory, securing a massive 44-point win that set the tone for the rest of the competition. Chandigarh’s ability to dominate both in attack and defence highlighted their preparedness and depth as they aim for a deep run in the championship.
In Pool B, last year’s runners-up Indian Railways showcased their pedigree with a commanding display against Odisha. Railways registered a 73–23 victory, winning by an impressive 50-point margin. Narender Kandola led the charge with 16 points, playing a pivotal role in ensuring his team maintained control throughout the contest and began their campaign in convincing fashion.
The Pool C clash between Punjab and Gujarat turned out to be a closely fought affair. Gujarat managed to edge past Punjab with a narrow 46–44 win, securing crucial early points in what could prove to be a tightly contested group as the tournament progresses.
Watch Indian Live Scores and Play Quiz – Download IndiaSportsHub App
Tamil Nadu delivered one of the most dominant performances of the day in Pool D. They comprehensively outclassed Manipur with a 75–16 scoreline, sealing a 59-point win that stood as the biggest margin of victory on the opening day. The result underlined Tamil Nadu’s attacking prowess and defensive discipline, as they left little room for their opponents to settle into the contest.
The other match in Pool D saw Uttar Pradesh take on Vidarbha in a tightly contested fixture. Uttar Pradesh managed to secure a narrow four-point victory, with captain Arjun Deshwal leading from the front. Deshwal, who featured for Tamil Thalaivas in Pro Kabaddi League Season 12, contributed 15 points to guide his team to a crucial opening win.
In Pool E, Haryana emerged victorious against Andhra Pradesh with a 49–32 result, demonstrating their balanced approach across both raiding and tackling departments. The second match in the pool saw Jammu & Kashmir defeat Telangana 43–34 to open their campaign on a positive note.
Watch Indian Live Scores and Play Quiz – Download IndiaSportsHub App
Pool F also produced a closely contested encounter between Kerala and Bihar. Bihar eventually secured a three-point win in a hard-fought match, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament even in its early stages.
With several teams making strong statements on Day 1, the opening round provided an early indication of the high level of competition expected over the course of the championship. The mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talent on display suggests that the battle for the title will remain wide open as the tournament progresses.
Action at the Sama Indoor Complex will continue later in the day with eight more matches scheduled, including fixtures featuring Maharashtra and defending champions Services, as teams look to build momentum in the race for top honours at the 72nd Senior Nationals Men’s Kabaddi Championship 2026.
