New Delhi, September 19 (Daily Kiran) : Indian kabaddi player Devank Dalal is gearing up to represent his country at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. This will be Dalal’s first appearance at a major international multi-sport event, and he is determined to secure another gold medal for India. At just 23 years old, Dalal has made a significant impact in the Pro Kabaddi League, finishing as the second-highest scorer with 271 raid points in the recently concluded season.
The Indian team will kick off its campaign against Japan on September 21. Dalal acknowledges the increased responsibility that comes with being selected for the Asian Games but insists that he will not let the weight of expectations become a burden.
“I am excited to be going to the Asian Games for the first time. I feel happy for myself, my family, and my coach. My responsibilities have increased, and I must bring gold for India. If India has chosen me, I have to do this,” he stated.
Dalal believes that the expectations tied to representing India should be viewed as a responsibility rather than pressure. He emphasized that if players succumb to the stress of the moment, they cannot perform to their fullest potential. “You should not feel pressure. Pressure and responsibility are two different things. Here, there is only responsibility, not pressure. We do not believe in pressure. If you feel pressured, you cannot play. If you don’t play, how will India win? We will play without pressure and win,” he asserted.
India is placed in Group A and will face the Republic of Korea on September 22, Bangladesh on September 23, and Chinese Taipei on September 24. The semifinals are scheduled for September 25, with the gold medal match set for September 26.
Aslam Inamdar, an experienced all-rounder who was part of the gold medal-winning team from the previous Asian Games, expressed optimism about the current squad’s performance. He highlighted the strong understanding developed among players through the Pro Kabaddi League and national camps.
Inamdar remarked, “The team has a great bond, as they are all our stars. They are captains of every team in the PKL. Our experience in the PKL has been very good, and they have performed exceptionally well.” He also noted the importance of guiding younger members through the international kabaddi experience, emphasizing the need for consistency and the importance of playing without pressure.
The Indian team will be captained by Sunil Kumar and includes notable players such as Pawan Sahrawat, Ankit Jaglan, Aslam Inamdar, Ashu Malik, Ayan Lohchab, Devank Dalal, Arjun Deshwal, Jaideep Dahiya, Rahul Sethpal, Gaurav Khatri, and Sumit Sangwan.
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