Combination of issues afflicted men’s team

In general, the team appeared too casual in its approach and was punished mercilessly. It was evident during the last league game against Thailand when Indians committed silly errors in defence to a team which had not won a single game in the event. 

Iran had earlier paid the price before for its casual attitude, suffering a shocking loss to Pakistan in the Asian Kabaddi Championship in 2017. But, for India, it turned out to be its worst-ever performance at the quadrennial event. The loss against Jang Kun Lee-led South Korea during the league stage proved to be costly, ensuring a semi-final match against second seed Iran.  The second placed team in Group A is normally pitted against the team that finishes top in Group B. Had India won the encounter against Korea, it would have had an easier final four draw against Pakistan, whom it beat twice during the Kabaddi Masters Dubai. 

The omission of Surjeet Singh and Surender Nada had raised a few eyebrows among the kabaddi fraternity ahead of the Asiad. Despite good performances, the defensive duo was dropped from the 12-man squad which travelled to Indonesia. A source, on the condition of anonymity, revealed changes were made to the squad (after Kabaddi Masters Dubai) due to ‘external pressure’ and added that nothing could be done with regards to it. The source also remarked two members of the outfit are usually selected in that way.  Nada and fellow corner defender Mohit Chhillar on paper form one of the most lethal corner combinations in the world. They had also represented the Haryana Steelers in the Pro Kabaddi League 2017. While Fazel Atrachali and Abozar Mohajermighani were inflicting super tackles for fun in the semi-finals, the Indian defenders couldn’t be on par with their counterparts. 

Though left corner defender Girish Maruti Ernak was on fire at the start of the match, he was not able to stem the flow of points Iran was earning in the second half. The raiders too couldn’t replicate their form which was on display during the Masters tournament in Dubai.