The inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship gets underway on Friday, October 23, with India’s men’s and women’s teams beginning their campaigns at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad. The Indian women’s team will face Malaysia at 6:45 PM IST, while the men’s side takes on England at 8:30 PM IST as both teams aim to claim the first Commonwealth kabaddi titles.
The tournament runs until October 31, featuring 23 teams from 13 nations across 62 matches at the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship. The competition comprises 39 men’s matches and 23 women’s matches, with teams playing through the group stage before the semifinals and finals decide the inaugural champions. It is organised by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) with the approval of the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF).
The men’s competition features 13 teams divided into two groups, while the women’s tournament has 10 teams split equally between two groups. Each team plays every other side in its group once, and the top two in the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship progress to the semifinals. In the men’s draw, Group A has India, Nigeria, Malaysia, Uganda, England, Tanzania and Sri Lanka, while Group B has Bangladesh, Kenya, Canada, Australia, Scotland and Singapore. The women’s Group A has India, Singapore, Nigeria, Uganda and Malaysia, and Group B has Bangladesh, Kenya, England, Scotland and Sri Lanka.
The opening day’s action begins at 11:00 AM IST with the men’s Group B match between Kenya and Singapore. At the semifinal stage, the winner of Group A will face the runner-up of Group B, while the winner of Group B will take on the second-placed team from Group A. The semifinals are scheduled for Friday, October 30, with the women’s ties at 6:00 PM and 6:45 PM IST and the men’s at 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM IST. The finals take place on Saturday, October 31, with the women’s final at 7:30 PM IST and the men’s at 9:00 PM IST.
India’s men at the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship
India’s men’s team will be led by captain Surjeet Singh, with Naveen Kumar serving as vice-captain. The 14-member squad combines experienced names with players looking to make their mark on the international stage as India pursue the inaugural Commonwealth title. The squad is Surjeet Singh, Naveen Kumar, Yogesh Dahiya, Shubham Shinde, Deepak Sankar, Nitesh Kumar, Parvesh Bhainswal, Ajit Pawar, Sachin Tanwar, Pankaj Mohite, Bharat Hooda, Shivam Patare, Neeraj Narwal and Aditya Shinde.
India will play six group-stage matches, beginning with England on October 23. The men’s team will then face Uganda, Malaysia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Sri Lanka, with all of India’s remaining group matches scheduled for 8:30 PM IST. The fixtures run October 23 to 29, and India will be aiming to secure a strong position in Group A and book a place in the semifinals.
India’s women at the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship
The Indian women’s team will be captained by Nidhi Sharma, with Ritu named vice-captain. India have been drawn in Group A alongside Singapore, Nigeria, Uganda and Malaysia, setting up four group-stage matches in their pursuit of a place in the knockout rounds. The squad is Nidhi Sharma, Ritu, Muskan Sharma, Sabhai Gadhavi, Priya, Champa Thakur, Riya Kumari, Suman Sahu, Jyothi, Ritu Mitharwal, Renuka Choudhary, Simran Kamboj, Anu Sen, Sakshi and Karthika Ramesh.
India will open their campaign against Malaysia on October 23 before facing Singapore, Uganda and Nigeria on the following three days. All four of India’s group matches are scheduled for 6:45 PM IST. The women’s group stage concludes on October 28, giving the qualified teams time to prepare for the semifinals on October 30.
How to watch the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship
Kabaddi fans in India can watch the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship live on JioHotstar, which will stream every match of the tournament. Select evening fixtures, including the semifinals and finals, will also be broadcast on Star Sports. Entry to the venue is free, subject to prior online registration through Thumpn.
The championship is being held under the theme “One Breath. One Raid. One Commonwealth,” and it is seen as a stepping stone for kabaddi ahead of the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad. The first Commonwealth kabaddi champions will be crowned on October 31.