Indian kabaddi players had a good day in office as both the men's and women's teams notched up comprehensive victories in their group fixtures at the Asian Games 2023 on Tuesday. (Medal Tally | Schedule | Full Coverage | Sports News)
The Indian men's team, who are a record seven-time champions, began their campaign with an emphatic 55-18 win over Bangladesh in a group A match.
Later in the day, the women's side recorded a 56-23 win over South Korea in their second group A game. India, last edition's silver medallist, were held to a surprise 34-34 draw by Chinese Taipei in their opening match on Monday.
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In their bid to regain the Asian Games gold medal, the Indian men's team, which had slipped to a bronze at the 2018 edition, took a 24-9 lead at the half-time.
Naveen Kumar Goyat and Arjun Deshwal spearheaded their raids in style to inflict the first all-out in the 12th minute.
Bangladesh managed to inflict two supertackles in the first half on Pawan Sehrawat and then on Goyat but that proved insufficient as India took 12-point lead inside 20 minutes.
Bangladesh faltered in their raids as the Indians extended their lead in the second-half and sealed the issue.
In the men's event, India find themselves clubbed with Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Japan in Group A.
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Iran, Korea, Pakistan and Malaysia form Group B.
