India's men's and women's teams reached the finals of the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad after winning their respective semi-finals on Friday, October 30. The men defeated Bangladesh 56-27 to set up a title clash with Sri Lanka, while the women beat Sri Lanka 39-14 and will face Uganda in the women's final on Saturday.
India's men overpower Bangladesh
India secured their place in the men's final with a 56-27 victory over Bangladesh. Bharat led the scoring with 13 points, while Shivam Patare contributed 11 and Neeraj Narwal added nine. Ajit Pawar also made an impact in defence, collecting five tackle points from eight tackles.
India's scoring breakdown reflected a strong all-round performance. The team registered 37 raid points and 12 tackle points, along with six points from all-outs. The result extended the hosts' run into the knockout stage after they had completed the men's group phase unbeaten, winning all six matches.
Sri Lanka set up men's title clash
Sri Lanka booked the other place in the men's final by defeating Kenya 28-24. Milinda Chathuranga and Sabihan scored six points each for the winners, while Viduranga added four. Made Dwiki Sanjaya contributed five tackle points in defence.
Kenya's Helvic Wanjala led his side with nine points and Samuel Wafula added six, but Sri Lanka held on to secure the four-point win. The result means India and Sri Lanka will meet for the men's championship on the final day, following their progress through the group and knockout rounds.
India women dominate Sri Lanka
India's women produced a convincing 39-14 semi-final win over Sri Lanka. They established control early, taking a 24-7 lead into half-time and maintaining the advantage after the break. Sakshi was the leading scorer with 11 points, made up of eight raid points and three tackle points.
Captain Nidhi Sharma added 10 points from 12 raids, including two bonus points. Ritu contributed four tackle points and Suman added three as India's defence supported the raiders. India finished with 21 raid points and 12 tackle points and inflicted three all-outs.
Sri Lanka managed only eight successful raids across the match. Diluxshana led their scoring with six points, including five bonus points, while Priyavarna produced a Super Tackle. The gap on the scoreboard reflected India's control, particularly in the first half.
Uganda survive Kenya fightback
Uganda earned the women's final berth with a narrow 23-21 victory over Kenya. Uganda led 12-9 at half-time and extended the advantage to 18-12 with seven minutes remaining. Kenya fought back late, outscoring Uganda 9-5 in the closing seven minutes, but could not overturn the deficit.
Nakayongo Shirat and substitute Nalwoga Nahia scored eight points each for Uganda. Nahia collected all eight after coming off the bench in the second half, while captain Nalubega Olivia added three tackle points. Kenya's Lavenda Odhiambo produced 16 raid points from 25 raids, including six bonus points, but Uganda held on.
Uganda's success in do-or-die raids proved significant: the team converted all five of its attempts. The first-half all-out also helped create the margin that ultimately separated the sides in a close contest.
Two finals on the closing day
The women's final between India and Uganda is scheduled for 7:30 PM IST on Saturday, October 31. The men's final between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled for 9 PM IST. Both matches are set to take place at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad.
The women's match will give India a chance to face Uganda again after winning their group-stage meeting 41-18. Uganda's semi-final comeback resistance against Kenya, however, means India will need to prepare for a different challenge in the title match. The men's final pairs the unbeaten group-stage hosts with a Sri Lankan side that came through a close semi-final against Kenya.
The SportsLine angle
Both Indian teams reaching the finals gives the host nation a strong opportunity to close the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship with two titles. The contrasting semi-finals also offer useful lessons for developing players: India's women combined an early scoreboard advantage with disciplined defence, while the men's side spread scoring across several contributors.
For kabaddi followers and grassroots players, the final day offers a high-profile showcase of the sport's reach across Commonwealth nations. Uganda's women's run and Sri Lanka's men's qualification underline that the championship is not simply a contest between traditional powerhouses. The two title matches will decide how the first edition concludes in Ahmedabad.
Frequently asked questions
Who will India face in the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship finals?
India's men's team will face Sri Lanka in the final after beating Bangladesh 56-27 and Sri Lanka defeating Kenya 28-24. The women's team will meet Uganda, who edged Kenya 23-21, after India defeated Sri Lanka 39-14 in their semi-final.
What were India's semi-final results in the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship?
India's men defeated Bangladesh 56-27 in their semi-final, while the women's team beat Sri Lanka 39-14. The women's side led 24-7 at half-time, and the men's victory set up a final against Sri Lanka.
When are the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship finals?
Both finals are scheduled for Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad. The women's final between India and Uganda is scheduled for 7:30 PM IST, followed by the men's final between India and Sri Lanka at 9 PM IST.
Who were India's top performers in the semi-finals?
Bharat led India's men's scoring with 13 points against Bangladesh, with Shivam Patare adding 11. In the women's semi-final against Sri Lanka, Sakshi scored 11 points and captain Nidhi Sharma contributed 10, helping India secure a 39-14 win.
How did Uganda and Sri Lanka qualify for the finals?
Uganda's women edged Kenya 23-21 in a close semi-final, while Sri Lanka's men defeated Kenya 28-24 to reach the men's final. Uganda will face India in the women's title match, and Sri Lanka will meet India in the men's final.