Touted as the biggest Kabaddi extravaganza, the third iteration of Kabbadi World Cup will be hosted by India. It will be the first time when 12 nations will compete for the title of World Champions in kabaddi. It is not for the first time that the country will be hosting the World Cup and it had hosted and won two championships earlier. Not much people are aware of this fact but thanks to Pro Kabaddi League, the game has got much wider coverage this time.
However, one thing remains unchanged, and it is the fact that India continues to dominate this game and has obtained top honors in most tournaments. India will continue to dominate in the game because no other country with the exception of Iran has the kind of talent pool, training facilities, coaches and infrastructure as well as the local league. Iran is a dark horse for this year’s world cup and could upset a lot many teams.
The first match is between India vs South Korea. The match will start at 8:00 p.m. India time. Watch the live streaming on Starsports.com here.
The most difficult task for India’s coach Balwant Singh and assistant coach Bhaskaran Edachery is to select the final 14 players from a highly talented pool of twenty-six players. Each and every player is a match winner and represents his Pro Kabbadi League side.
We wish #OneBigBlue victory when they go against the South Korean team tonight! #JaiHanuman #INDvKOR #2016KabaddiWorldCup pic.twitter.com/3GGzf1ttXG
— Jaipur Pink Panthers (@JaipurPanthers) October 7, 2016
The team comprises of raiders like Pardeep Narwal, Anup Kumar, Rahul Chaudhari as well as, all-rounders Sandeep Narwal, Manjeet Chhillar, and Deepak Niwas Hooda who are capable of erecting an impeccable defensive wall which is almost impenetrable by any team.
Captain Anup Kumar will be playing a crucial role in all matches and with his calm, and intelligent manner endears himself to his fellow players. Anup had an excellent first season of Pro Kabaddi League where he was at his destructive best. The only weakness which Indian team has will be complacency and a feeling of smugness which can become a nemesis for any team.
The teams have been divided into two pools, with one comprising of pool A, India, South Korea, England, Bangladesh, Australia, and Argentina, while Pool B comprises of two-times runners-up Iran, the United States, Poland, Thailand, Japan, and Kenya.