Sports Minister hails Indian Kabaddi Team for reigning supreme at Kabaddi Masters over Iran

Dubai, July 1: Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore hailed Indian National Kabaddi Team for continuing their domination in the touch sport after India thrashed Iran 44-26 to emerge champions of the six-nation Kabaddi Masters Dubai, here on Saturday (June 30).

In a battle between the top two sides of the world, the three-time world champions did not give Iran any ground to recover with captain Ajay Thakur (nine points) and youngster Monu Goyat (six) leading the raid charts.

Congratulating India's superlative show in the tournament and in the finals, Rathore - the Athens Olympic Silver Medallist, took to Twitter to congratulate Ajay Thakur and his boys for their supreme effort.

"Many congratulations to Indian Kabaddi team for winning the #KabaddiMastersDubai2018. Defeating Iran 44-26 proves that this Indian team has an unbeatable will and unsurpassable talent. #INDvIRN #KabaddiMasters," tweeted Rathore.

Many congratulations to Indian Kabaddi team for winning the #KabaddiMastersDubai2018. Defeating Iran 44-26 proves that this Indian team has an unbeatable will and unsurpassable talent. #INDvIRN #KabaddiMasters pic.twitter.com/XXdiTzEKaF
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) July 1, 2018

India inflicted two all-outs on Iran, en route the massive victory. The final had its share of hiccups as lights went off, disrupting the match for 10 minutes in the first half, while in the second half Iran captain Amirhossein Maleki, who came in as a substitute, claimed "rough play" by the Indians but referee dismissed the protests.

Congratulations India on defeating Iran in the finals and becoming deserving champions of the #KabaddiMasters . Wonderful win and a joy to follow your performances. pic.twitter.com/9uqb7lf9R5
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) July 1, 2018

Both the teams last met in the World Cup 2016 final in Ahmedabad with Thakur playing a key role in handing them a slender nine-point victory.

🎊🎊🎊
All hail the Masters of Kabaddi from 🇮🇳! FT: #IND 44-26 #IRN #KabaddiMasters #INDvIRN pic.twitter.com/H8z5WrEbRm
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 30, 2018

Having given the captaincy baton in this Asian Games build-up meet, Thakur was all over the mat with his superb raiding skills.

India's defence was also excellent with Surjeet Singh returning with seven tackle points. The captain drew the first blood with a running touch to send Mohammad Naseri to the bench.

It's coming 🏠! 😉

Team 🇮🇳 are all set to board the return ✈️ with a new companion - the #KabaddiMasters Dubai 2018 🏆! #INDvIRN pic.twitter.com/mL6VxrwkIl
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 30, 2018

India, however, lost the early momentum after the power disruption to slip from being 15-5 to 18-11 at the break.

The biggest positive for Iran in the closing stage of first-half was when they were able to evict Thakur with Mohammad Maghsoudlou's fine attempt. But they could not keep Thakur away as India once again forced their way back after the changeover, displaying top-class raiding as well as defensive skills.

India coach Srinivas Reddy gave young Goyat a start in place of a lacklustre Pradeep Narwal.

Best Kabaddi teams in the world:

14. You
13. can’t
12. rank
11. them
10. because
9. all
8. teams
7. are
6. good
5. in
4. their
3. own
2. way
1. India 🇮🇳#KabaddiMasters #INDvIRN
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 30, 2018