India aiming for gold at Asian Games — Kabaddi captain Pushpa Rana

Pushpa Rana will be leading India’s defence of the gold medal at the Asian Games 2026. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

As the Indian women’s kabaddi team gears up to represent the country at the upcoming 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, captain Pushpa Rana and Pooja Kajla believe the responsibility of defending India’s gold medal comes with confidence and motivation, with the team firmly setting its sights on the top spot.

Rana, who has been handed the responsibility of leading the 12-member squad, said the team has been preparing extensively by analysing opponents and working on areas of improvement identified by the coaching staff.

“First of all, we practice according to the situation. We also analyse the videos of the upcoming matches. Our coaches also tell us about the shortcomings of the past and what needs to be improved. And now we are working on that. I think our team is well prepared,” said Rana.

Kabaddi has traditionally carried immense expectations at the Asian Games, with India having won 11 gold medals in the sport, including three in the women’s event, and Rana believes that expectation to win again is a source of confidence rather than pressure.

“Yes, I feel that motivation. When our seniors have already done a good job, they have made their own history, so it is upto us to maintain that momentum. So, we see it as motivation, we don’t see it as pressure. We are also working hard to maintain that momentum,” she said.

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Rana also highlighted the importance of experience within the squad as she takes on her first captaincy assignment. Having previously served as vice-captain, she said she continues to rely on the guidance of senior players such as Ritu Negi and Sonali Shingate to strengthen team bonding. “I rely a lot on the seniors because they are already captains like Ritu Negi and Sonali Shingate. So, their advice is very important to me,” said Rana.

For Arjuna awardee Kajla, the opportunity to win another Asian Games gold also carries the chance to inspire the next generation of women in sport. “First of all, it is very important to win gold at the Asian Games. Along with that, as we talk about the girls of the cricket World Cup, there are also juniors who are very inspired by the success of Indian women in sport. So, if we bring gold, then small children get inspired by us and they will also ask their parents to let them play,” said Kajla.

The women’s kabaddi contest at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will begin on September 21, with India facing Bangladesh in its opening Group A fixture. It will then take on Iran on September 23 and Japan on September 24, before the semifinals on September 25 and the gold medal match on September 26.

Indian women’s kabaddi team for Asian Games 2026

Pushpa Rana (captain), Ritu Negi, Sonali Shingate, Sanju Devi, Pooja Kajla, Ritu Sheoran, Jyoti Thakur, Pinki Roy, Manisha Kumari, Bhavna Thakur, Raj Rani, Nikita Kumari.