Aichi-Nagoya, September 26, 2026: India have done it again.

The Indian men’s kabaddi team defeated Iran 40-34 in a closely contested gold-medal match at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, securing the gold medal and becoming continental champions once again. The six-point victory capped an unbeaten campaign for Sunil Kumar’s side and completed a memorable day for Indian kabaddi, with the women’s team also winning the gold medal earlier in the day against Iran. India entered the men’s final after an emphatic 66-28 semi-final victory over Thailand, setting up another major Asian Games final against Iran.

India 40-34 Iran: The Final Result

The final was decided by six points, with India maintaining enough control to hold off Iran and close out the gold-medal match. The victory is particularly significant given Iran’s place in Asian kabaddi. Iran had been the only other nation to win the men’s Asian Games title, doing so in Jakarta in 2018, while India reclaimed the crown at Hangzhou 2022.

Arjun Deshwal Leads India’s Attack With a Super 10

One of the biggest highlights from the Indian performance was Arjun Deshwal, who produced a Super 10 in the final. Arjun was part of India’s starting seven alongside captain Sunil Kumar, Ayan Lohchab, Jaideep Dahiya, Devank Dalal, Sumit Sangwan and Rahul Sethpal. His ability to consistently bring points through raids gave India an important attacking outlet in a final where every point mattered.

India’s key performers

• Arjun Deshwal, Super 10
• Jaideep Dahiya, High 5
• Sumit Sangwan, High 5, 6 tackle points
• Devank Dalal, 8 raid points

The numbers also underline the balance of India’s performance. While Arjun carried the headline with his Super 10, Jaideep and Sumit provided major defensive contributions, while Devank added eight points through raiding.

India’s Starting Seven

India began the final with:

1. Sunil Kumar (Captain)
2. Ayan Lohchab
3. Jaideep Dahiya
4. Devank Dalal
5. Sumit Sangwan
6. Rahul Sethpal
7. Arjun Deshwal

Substitutes: Pawan Sehrawat, Aslam Inamdar, Ashu Malik, Gaurav Khatri and Ankit Jaglan.

The selection reflected the combination that had taken India through the tournament unbeaten: experienced leadership from Sunil Kumar, multiple raiding options and a powerful defensive unit.

Iran Started With a Star-Studded Seven

Iran also fielded a highly experienced starting combination.

Iran Starting Seven

1. Fazel Atrachali (Captain)
2. Reza Mirbagheri
3. Omid K.
4. MD. Reza Shadloui
5. Ali Samadi
6. Amir H. Bastami
7. Amir Md. Zafardanesh

Substitutes: M. Nabibakhsh, Amir Taghipour, Amirreza Ali Akbari, Alireza Mirzaeian and Amir Hossain Eljali.

With Fazel Atrachali and Reza Shadloui among the names in the Iranian lineup, the final brought together considerable experience on both sides of the mat.

India’s Road to the Asian Games Gold

India's gold medal did not come from a single performance. The team built momentum throughout the competition. The men began their campaign against Japan before defeating South Korea, Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei in the group stage. India finished the group phase unbeaten and then produced one of their strongest performances of the tournament in the semi-final, defeating Thailand 66-28. The semi-final victory was powered by India’s raiding unit, with Devank Dalal and Arjun Deshwal leading the attack. India also forced multiple All-Outs as their defence steadily took control of the match. That set up the final against Iran. And when the biggest moment arrived, India delivered again.

A Gold Medal That Extends India’s Asian Games Legacy

Kabaddi has been one of India's most successful sports at the Asian Games. Before Aichi-Nagoya 2026, the Indian men's team had won eight men's kabaddi gold medals, including the 2022 Hangzhou title. Their only break in that run came at Jakarta 2018, where India finished fourth and Iran won the gold. The 2026 victory therefore adds another chapter to India's extraordinary Asian Games kabaddi record. The tournament also marked India's return to the top against Iran after both nations reached the gold-medal match.

India Complete the Golden Double

The men's triumph came after the Indian women's team had also defeated Iran in the women's final earlier on September 26. India's women won 37-34, meaning both Indian kabaddi teams finished the Aichi-Nagoya Games with gold medals. It gives Indian kabaddi another men's and women's golden double, following the achievement at Hangzhou 2022. For the men's team, however, the final score will be the number remembered: INDIA 40-34 IRAN. Six points separated the two teams at the final whistle. India stood at the top.