NewKerala.com

Railways, Tamil Nadu Dominate as 72nd Senior Nationals Kabaddi Championship Begins

The 72nd Senior Nationals Men's Kabaddi Championship kicked off in Vadodara with eight matches across all pools. Defending runners-up Indian Railways and Tamil Nadu registered massive 50-point and 59-point victories respectively. The day featured standout individual performances, including a 28-point effort from Vidarbha's Adesh Warkhade and a 21-point game from Gujarat's Mitesh Prajapati. Other notable results saw Chandigarh dominate and Gujarat win a nail-biter against Punjab.

Key Points: 72nd Senior Nationals Kabaddi: Day 1 Results & Top Performers

  • Railways & Tamil Nadu post big wins
  • Gujarat edges Punjab in thriller
  • Vidarbha's Adesh Warkhade scores 28 in loss
  • 29 teams across 8 pools competing
  • Opening day sees mix of blowouts and close contests
2 min read

Railways, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh show domination as 72nd Senior Nationals Men's Kabaddi Championship kicks off in Vadodara

Indian Railways, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh start strong at the 72nd Senior Nationals Men's Kabaddi Championship in Vadodara. See scores and star players.

"Tamil Nadu delivered one of the most dominant performances of the day, overpowering Manipur 75-16 - Official Release"

Vadodara, February 24

The opening day of the 72nd Senior Nationals Men's Kabaddi Championship 2026 at the Sama Indoor Complex in Vadodara witnessed several commanding performances on Tuesday, with a mix of experienced players and emerging talents making strong starts to their campaigns.

According to a release, a total of 29 teams, divided into eight pools, are participating in the championship. Eight matches were played on Day 1 across Pools A to H, with Chandigarh, Tamil Nadu, Indian Railways and Gujarat registering victories in their respective fixtures.

The day was also highlighted by notable individual performances, with Gujarat's Mitesh Prajapati scoring 21 points to play a decisive role in his team's victory. Vidarbha's Adesh Warkhade also stood out with an impressive 28-point effort, though the team fell short in a closely contested four-point defeat.

In Pool A, Chandigarh displayed complete dominance, recording a 44-point win with a 76-32 victory over Jharkhand. The Pool B encounter saw last year's runners-up, Indian Railways, produce another strong performance as they defeated Odisha 73-23 by a 50-point margin. Narender Kandola scored 16 points and ensured his team remains in a comfortable lead enroute their dominating win.

The Pool C match between Punjab and Gujarat turned out to be a closely fought contest, with Gujarat edging past Punjab 46-44. In Pool D, Tamil Nadu delivered one of the most dominant performances of the day, overpowering Manipur 75-16 to seal a 59-point win. The other match in the pool saw Uttar Pradesh and Vidarbha involved in a tight contest, with Uttar Pradesh recording a narrow four-point victory. UP Captain Arjun Deshwal, who starred for Tamil Thalaivas in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season12 scored 15 points and led his team to victory.

In Pool E, Haryana emerged victorious against Andhra Pradesh, registering a 49-32 win. The second match of Pool E saw Jammu & Kashmir defeat Telangana 43-34.

The Pool F contest between Kerala and Bihar also produced a close encounter, with Bihar securing a three-point win.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As someone from Tamil Nadu, feeling so proud! A 59-point win is no joke. But let's not forget Vidarbha's Adesh Warkhade – 28 points in a losing effort shows real heart. Hope his team bounces back. The competition looks fierce this year.
R
Rohit P
Chandigarh with a 44-point win and Railways with 50... these are massive margins. While it's good for the top teams, I hope the organizers ensure a more balanced competition in future. Such one-sided matches aren't great for the sport's growth or for fans.
S
Sarah B
Following from the US! Love seeing the updates on traditional sports. The mix of PKL stars like Arjun Deshwal and new talents is fascinating. The close matches like Gujarat vs Punjab are what make any tournament thrilling. Keep the updates coming!
V
Vikram M
Solid start for Haryana and J&K in Pool E. Good to see teams from all regions competing. The depth in Indian kabaddi is really improving. Waiting to see how the Services team and Maharashtra perform in their pools.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, the article could use more details on the emerging players, not just the big scores. Who are the young defenders or all-rounders who stood out? The focus is always on raiders. A balanced report would be better for the sport.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50