Devank Dalal vows to 'bring gold for India' in Asian Games debut
Devank Dalal said "I will have to bring gold for India. If India has chosen me, I will have to do it," as the Indian men's kabaddi team prepares to begin its campaign at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games starting on September 21.
The Indian squad opens against hosts Japan on September 21, then faces the Republic of Korea on September 22, Bangladesh on September 23 and Chinese Taipei on September 24 in Group A, with the semi-finals scheduled for September 25 and the gold-medal match on September 26. For Devank Dalal, the tournament will be his first appearance for India at a major international multi-sport event. The 23-year-old finished Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 as the second-highest scoring raider, recording 271 raid points.
"This is my first time going to an Asian Games. I am happy for myself, my family, and my coach. I am happy for everyone. Now that I am going, my responsibilities have increased," Dalal said, reflecting on the personal significance of the selection and the heightened expectations that accompany it.
On handling those expectations, Dalal stated: "You don’t have to take pressure. Pressure and responsibility are two different things. Here, there is only responsibility, not pressure. We don’t believe that pressure is a thing. If you take pressure, you won’t be able to play. If you don’t play, how will India win? We will play without pressure and win."
Aslam Inamdar, who was part of India’s gold-medal-winning team at the 2022 Asian Games, pointed to team cohesion arising from shared Pro Kabaddi League experience and national camps. "There is a very good bonding with the team. Because all of them are our stars. They are the captains of every team in PKL. We had a very good experience in PKL. They had a very good game in PKL. There is a good bonding with the Indian team," he said.
Inamdar also described the role of senior players in preparing younger squad members for international competition, saying: "The young players like Ayaan, Ankit, Rahul, etc. They have a lot of experience in PKL and Nationals. But the international match is a little different. So, consistency is very important. So, they are told to play the game with a free mind… Feel proud to represent the country and fight for gold," he signed off.
Sunil Kumar captains the 12-member Indian men's kabaddi squad: Sunil Kumar (captain), Pawan Sehrawat, Ankit Jaglan, Aslam Inamdar, Ashu Malik, Ayan Lohchab, Devank Dalal, Arjun Deshwal, Jaideep Dahiya, Rahul Sethpal, Gaurav Khatri and Sumit Sangwan.
India's immediate assignment is the Group A opener against host nation Japan on September 21, followed by matches on September 22-24 and the knockout rounds on September 25 and 26.
