Indian Railways won the 68th Senior National Kabaddi Championship at the Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar International Sports Stadium in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh after they defeated Services 44-23 in the final on Friday.

Captain Pawan Sehrawat led from the front scoring 18 raid points. He reached his Super 10 with a Super Raid. Ravinder Pahal was the best defender for Indian Railways, recording six tackle points for his High 5. 

Naveen Kumar was the top-performer for Services, who suffered two all outs during the match, with eight raid points.

Services were no match for Indian Railways, who chipped away at points including nine on the trot early on to lead 14-5. Services couldn’t reduce the deficit even as they managed to get their points ticking with the score at 31-18 with 10 minutes left on the clock.

Indian Railways then scored nine on the row again, which included Ravinder Pahal’s Super Tackle on Naveen Kumar, to get the score up to 40-18. That effectively sealed the match.

The two teams met in the final last year as well. The result then was a lot closer, ending in 29-27. This was Indian Railways third straight senior kabaddi title.

Earlier, Indian Railways beat Rajasthan 45-30 in the semi-finals courtesy of a Pawan Sehrawat Super 10 and a Parvesh Bhainswal High 5. Rajasthan’s Deepak Hooda, who had a stellar tournament, did not play.

Services beat Maharashtra 40-38 in the other semi-final. Both Maharashtra and Rajasthan were awarded the bronze medal. Services got the silver.

As many as 30 teams competed in the senior kabaddi nationals over the four days.

Players who took part in the Senior National Kabaddi Championship 2021 were being scouted for the Indian national kabaddi team.

Renowned coach Krishan Kumar Hooda, a Dronacharya Award winner, and former Indian raider and Arjuna awardee Ashok Shinde were in the committee to select India probables.

Senior Nationals Kabaddi Championships 2021 results

Final: Indian Railways beat Services: 44-23

Semi-Final 1: Indian Railways beat Rajasthan 45-30

Semi-Final 2: Services beat Maharashtra 40-38

Photo: Parvesh Bhainswal/ Instagram