Asian Games: Indian men's kabaddi team continues winning streak, overpowers Thailand
text_fieldsHangzhou: In a display of sheer dominance, the Indian men's kabaddi team continued their impressive run at the Asian Games by defeating Thailand with a commanding scoreline of 63-26.
The match took place at the Xiaoshan Guali Sports Centre in Hangzhou, where India, led by captain Pawan Sehrawat, showcased their prowess to maintain their position at the top of Group A in the Asian Games.
India's performance has been exceptional, boasting a remarkable points difference of 74, leaving their nearest rival, Chinese Taipei, trailing with a differential of 37 points, as reported by Olympics.com.
The Indian kabaddi team wasted no time in asserting their dominance, with raiders Naveen Kumar and Arjun Deshwal making early inroads.
In a blitz of aggressive play, India swiftly imposed an all-out on Thailand, surging to an impressive 11-2 lead within the first five minutes of the match, reminiscent of their strong start against Bangladesh in the opening game.
Thailand's Pramot Saising attempted to stage a comeback with a spectacular raid, momentarily increasing their score to 15-5. However, India's response was swift, as they revived their top raider, Naveen Kumar, supported by Parvesh Bhainswal and Sunil Kumar, to maintain their relentless offensive.
The Indian team continued to dominate, securing three all-outs against the Thai kabaddi team in the first half, heading into the break with a commanding 37-9 lead.
As the match progressed, Aslam Inamdar, Akash Shinde, and Nitin Rawal took center stage, further solidifying India's lead.
In the second half, Aslam Inamdar and Akash Shinde played pivotal roles in extending India's lead from 28 points at half-time to a remarkable 37-point difference at the final whistle.
India's strategy not only focused on raiding but also on winning bonus points against Thailand.
The Indian kabaddi team will now face Chinese Taipei and Japan in their quest for the top spot in Group A on Thursday.
The semi-finals for men's kabaddi at the Asian Games 2023 are scheduled for Friday, promising further exciting action from the Indian team as they continue their pursuit of excellence.