3rd World Cup Kabaddi: Indian men rout England 57-28

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Normally, a runners-up finish at a major tournament is rated very highly across all quarters. But when the Indian men’s kabaddi team finished second best to arch-rivals Pakistan in the second Asia Cup Kabaddi Championship (circle style kabaddi) last November, the general feeling was that our kabaddi team had let the entire country down by settling for a bridesmaid finish.

That’s the aura of invincibility that surrounds the Indian men’s kabaddi team. Three-times world champions are expected to win every match and every tournament they feature in. So, the runners-up finish to Pakistan was not received well by its fans and supporters.

The third World Kabaddi Championship (circle style kabaddi) – which is currently being held across thirteen venues in Punjab – would be a photo opportunity for India to redeem themselves and wipe off the disappointing memories of the 2nd Asia Cup.

The Sukhbir Singh Sarawan-led team were itching to put up an impressive opening game win when they clashed with England at Doda (Mukatsar) on Wednesday.

And that’s what India did, coming out all guns blazing to make mincemeat of England 57-28 in a ridiculously one-sided match.

The Indian raiders never allowed England to settle down and got into their groove straightway to make their intentions amply clear.

The men in blue engaged in exemplary holds and smart dodging as England struggled to find answers to the Indian raids.

The strong crowd support also worked to India’s advantage as they ran roughshod over England.

Teeming with confidence after the facile opening game win, India now take on Afghanistan in their second game at Sangrur on Thursday.

Indian women would also kickstart their campaign on Thursday when they square off against Denmark at Sangrur.

As many as fifteen teams are taking part in the men’s section, while seven teams are participating in the women’s section.