The 72nd Senior Men’s National Kabaddi Championship entered its decisive phase on Day 3 as the knockout rounds and quarterfinals delivered high-intensity encounters, major upsets, and commanding performances.
With sixteen teams in action across eight knockout fixtures, the battle for semifinal spots intensified at the Sama Indoor Complex.
By the end of the day, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Services, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Indian Railways and Bihar had emerged from the knockout stage to secure quarterfinal berths. From there, the competition narrowed further, culminating in dramatic quarterfinal clashes that reshaped the tournament landscape.
Uttar Pradesh Stun Defending Champions
The headline result of the day came in the quarterfinals, where Uttar Pradesh toppled defending champions Services 55–51 in a high-scoring thriller to storm into the semifinals. The contest was defined by relentless raiding and sharp counter-tackles, with both sides trading momentum throughout.
Arjun Deshwal, who also leads Tamil Thalaivas in the Pro Kabaddi League, delivered a standout performance for Uttar Pradesh. The captain amassed 19 raid points, repeatedly breaching Services’ defensive chain with precision footwork and quick escapes. His ability to convert high-pressure raids into points proved decisive in the closing minutes.
Services, known for their structured defence and tournament pedigree, struggled to contain Uttar Pradesh’s attacking rhythm. Despite a late push, the defending champions fell short, marking one of the biggest upsets of the championship so far.
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In another quarterfinal, Maharashtra displayed composure and depth in a 53–38 victory over Himachal Pradesh. Ajit Chouhan and Aditya Shinde spearheaded the raiding unit, scoring 14 and 12 points respectively. Their consistency ensured Maharashtra maintained control from early exchanges through to the final whistle.
Maharashtra’s defensive unit complemented the raiders’ output, executing timely tackles that prevented Himachal from building sustained momentum. The margin of victory underlined Maharashtra’s balanced approach heading into the semifinals.
Tamil Nadu Survive Tie-Breaker Drama
The knockout phase had already witnessed drama earlier in the day when Tamil Nadu edged past Haryana in a tie-breaker after the teams finished regulation time locked at 35–35. Haryana, considered among the strongest contenders, were pushed into a tense finish where Tamil Nadu’s composure in decisive raids proved crucial.
The result signaled Tamil Nadu’s resilience under pressure and reinforced the unpredictable nature of the championship’s knockout stage.
Chandigarh and Railways Impress
Chandigarh delivered a commanding 45–26 win over Madhya Pradesh, with Pawan Sehrawat leading the charge. The star raider accumulated 10 points, dictating tempo and maintaining offensive control. Chandigarh’s defensive chain operated cohesively, restricting Madhya Pradesh’s scoring avenues and converting turnovers into points.
Indian Railways also advanced with a convincing 57–38 win over Karnataka in the pre-quarterfinals. Combining disciplined raiding with structured defence, Railways ensured minimal lapses and controlled the contest from the outset.
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Among the day’s most gripping encounters was Himachal Pradesh’s 56–53 victory over Rajasthan. The closely contested clash saw both sides exchange leads before Himachal’s star raiders Pappu Kumar and Mayank Saini combined for 29 points, scoring 15 and 14 respectively. Their late-game execution secured the narrow win.
Uttar Pradesh had earlier announced their attacking intent with a dominant 65–24 victory over Jammu & Kashmir in the pre-quarterfinals, setting the tone for their eventual upset against Services.
Services, before bowing out in the quarterfinal, had asserted their authority in the previous round with a 51–22 win over Goa. Devank Dalal contributed 10 raid points while Ankit anchored the defence with four tackle points, demonstrating the depth that made them defending champions. Bihar produced another notable result by defeating hosts Gujarat 38–34 in a tightly contested encounter. Their defensive resilience and timely raids proved decisive in securing a quarterfinal berth.
With Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra already confirmed in the semifinals, attention now turns to the remaining quarterfinal fixtures. Railways are scheduled to face Bihar, while Chandigarh will take on Tamil Nadu in what promises to be a high-intensity showdown between two in-form sides.
As the championship progresses toward its climax, the balance between raiding efficiency and defensive solidity continues to determine outcomes. Day 3 underscored the evolving competitiveness of domestic kabaddi, where established powerhouses can be challenged and margins remain razor-thin.
The stage is now set for a gripping semifinal round, with momentum, form, and composure under pressure likely to define who advances toward the coveted national title.
