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Sometimes, the feeling of being overwhelming favourites to win a championship may not sit comfortably with a team. But there are times when it can work wonders for a team.
The Indian kabaddi team is seemingly enjoying the favourities tag in the ongoing second Asia Cup Kabaddi Championship being held at Lahore.
A team, which carries a rich legacy (six Asian Games gold medals and four world titles) in the sport, deserves all the credit for sustaining its dominance over the years.
The men in blue brought their robust kabaddi skills to the fore against a formidable Iranian side in their fourth league encounter on Sunday.
Engaging in solid holds and smart dodging, the Indian raiders proved too good for the Iranian side. Without a shadow of doubt, unlike their earlier opponents – Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal – Iran refused to concede a lop-sided win to the reigning champions.
Granted, Iran weren’t exactly considered as one of the pushovers in the championship, as they were always touted as a rapidly improving side.
The Iranians put their best on display and tried to give India a run for their money, but the tactical superiority of the Indians proved to be their undoing.
The final 53-35 scoreline does suggest that the match was a well contested one – something spectators at the Punjab Sports Stadium in Lahore looked forward to.
Four wins from as many matches, India would now battle it out with hosts Pakistan in the final league game later this evening to determine the champions of the 2nd Asia Cup.
Pakistan, too, notched up its fourth straight win, easing past Sri Lanka 46-26 to keep their morale high ahead of their mouth-watering clash against their arch-rivals.
Pakistan would be looking to exact sweet revenge for the defeat they suffered at the hands of India in the final of the inaugural Asia Cup Kabaddi Championship held in Iran last year. India, on the other hand, would seeking to pull out all the stops to retain the championship crown.
