Sunil Kumar-Led Indian Railways Clinch 72nd Senior Men’s National Kabaddi Title With 49–31 Win Over Aslam Inamdar’s Maharashtra

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Vadodara, February 27: Indian Railways produced a dominant all-round performance to defeat Maharashtra 49-31 in the final and lift the 72nd Senior Men's National Kabaddi Championship at the Sama Indoor Stadium on Friday (February 27).

The Sunil Kumar-led side controlled the contest from start to finish, sealing the title with a commanding 18-point margin.

Railways, one of the most consistent forces in domestic kabaddi, topped a field of 29 teams across eight pools, navigating 54 matches over four days to emerge champions. Their campaign included wins over Chandigarh and Karnataka in the knockout stages before the emphatic triumph against a strong Maharashtra unit captained by Pro Kabaddi League star Aslam Inamdar.

Railways Dominate the Final

The final saw Railways' raiding and defensive units operate in perfect sync. Pankaj Mohite led the charge with 12 raid points, while Ashu Malik, fresh from leading Dabang Delhi K.C. to the PKL Season 12 title, added eight points.

Railways' defence was equally impressive, collecting 14 tackle points and constantly applying pressure that prevented Maharashtra from building momentum. Despite spirited efforts from Shivam Patare and Aslam Inamdar, Maharashtra struggled to keep pace as Railways extended their lead and closed out a one-sided contest.

Road to the Final

Earlier in the day, Maharashtra booked their place in the summit clash with a 49-36 victory over Uttar Pradesh in the first semifinal. Aditya Shinde starred with 12 raid points, while Aslam Inamdar (11) and Shivam Patare (8) provided strong support. Maharashtra's defence outscored Uttar Pradesh 14-8 in tackle points, which proved decisive.

The second semifinal between Indian Railways and Chandigarh was a thriller, ending 38-38 in regulation time. Railways held their nerve in the tie-breaker, winning 7-4 to advance. Ashu Malik and Narender Kandola scored 10 points each, while Chandigarh stayed competitive through Pawan Sehrawat's 12 points and Rakesh Singroha's seven.

Individual Standouts

While Railways celebrated the team title, Bhavani Rajput (Goa) finished as the tournament's top raider with 58 raid points from 81 raids. Railways' Shubham Shinde led the defensive charts with 27 tackle points, underlining the champions' strength at the back.

From the league phase to the knockout rounds, Railways showcased depth, tactical discipline, and big-match temperament. Their comprehensive win in the final reaffirmed their status as a powerhouse in Indian domestic kabaddi.