The 72nd Senior National Men’s Kabaddi Championship 2026 concluded after four days of gripping action, featuring 29 teams and over 400 players, including several stars from the Pro Kabaddi circuit. The tournament delivered high drama, unexpected results and a commanding performance in the final as Indian Railways lifted the trophy.
The competition saw early shocks. Haryana, champions in 2024, were edged out 7-4 by Tamil Nadu in a tense pre-quarterfinal tie-breaker. The defending champions Services also suffered a quarter-final exit, losing a high-scoring contest 55–51 to Uttar Pradesh.
In the semifinals, Indian Railways defeated a Pawan Sehrawat-led Chandigarh side in a nail-biting tie-breaker, winning 7-4 to secure a place in the final. Maharashtra, meanwhile, overcame Uttar Pradesh in a tough battle to book their spot in the title clash.
The final between Indian Railways and Maharashtra began at a frenetic pace. For the first 18 minutes, both teams traded points in a tightly contested affair, with neither side able to establish clear dominance. However, Maharashtra’s key raiders, Aslam Inamdar and Aditya Shinde, struggled to break through Railways’ disciplined defence.
The defensive pairing of Sunil and Pravesh proved crucial for Indian Railways, repeatedly halting Maharashtra’s advances. Shubham Shinde was equally effective in the right corner, maintaining tight control. Maharashtra introduced Ajit Chouhan as a substitute in a bid to shift momentum, but the Railways defence remained unyielding.
The turning point came when Pankaj Mohite executed a stunning super raid, collecting four points in a single effort. That moment shifted the momentum decisively in Railways’ favour. From there, they began dictating the tempo, tightening their defensive grip while capitalising on Maharashtra’s errors.
In the second half, Indian Railways extended their lead steadily. Pankaj completed a Super 10, underlining his attacking dominance, while Shubham Shinde recorded a High 5, showcasing his defensive prowess. Maharashtra struggled to mount any meaningful comeback as the gap widened.
By the final whistle, Indian Railways had sealed a comprehensive 49–31 victory, capping off a dominant display in the championship match. Their balanced performance in both attack and defence proved decisive, as they reclaimed the Senior National crown in emphatic fashion.
