Indian men’s kabaddi team reclaims Asian Games title after controversial final

NEW DELHI: The Indian men’s kabaddi team secured a dramatic victory to reclaim their Asian Games title after an intense hour of disputes. In a contentious final match temporarily suspended in Hangzhou, they triumphed over defending champions Iran with a score of 33-29.
Throughout the men’s summit clash, the two teams were evenly matched, with the score tied at 28-28 and just one minute and five seconds left on the clock. However, the final minute was marred by controversy when Indian captain Pawan Sehrawat embarked on a do-or-die raid.
During Sehrawat’s raid, he ventured into the lobby, going out of bounds without making contact with any Iranian player. Nonetheless, Amirhossein Bastami and three other Iranian defenders swiftly converged on Sehrawat, attempting to force him out of bounds. This chaotic situation led to confusion and commotion.

During Sehrawat’s raid, he ventured into the lobby, going out of bounds without making contact with any Iranian player. Nonetheless, Amirhossein Bastami and three other Iranian defenders swiftly converged on Sehrawat, attempting to force him out of bounds. This chaotic situation led to confusion and commotion.
The outcome remained unclear, with questions arising about whether Sehrawat had been successfully tackled or not. Additionally, there was uncertainty regarding which rule should be applied – whether it should be the old rule or the new one.
According to the new rule, Sehrawat was out but the old rule deemed Sehrawat and all the Iranians who followed him also out, which would give India four points and Iran one.

(AFP Photo)
With the officials see-sawing between ruling in favour of India and Iran, both sets of players sat on the court in protest when the decision went against them in unprecedented scenes.
After a lot of deliberation, discussion and arguing by both sides, and the match being suspended, the officials ruled it in favour of India and the scoreline read 32-29.
Winners of seven consecutive gold medals at the continental showpiece, the Indian men’s team had suffered a shock semifinal loss to Iran at Jakarta five years ago. Iran looked the better team as it led 10-6. But the Indians made a thrilling comeback to take a 17-13 lead at half time after effecting two all outs.
Resuming after the lemon break, Sehrawat fetched a bonus point while the Iranians struggled.
The Indians then raced to a five point lead at 24-19. But the defending champions inflicted a timely ‘all out’ to level the game 25-25 with 10 minutes remaining on the clock.
(With PTI Inputs)