Vadodara, February 26 – The Senior National Kabaddi Championship, organized by the Gujarat State Kabaddi Association in Vadodara, is set for a thrilling conclusion, with the semifinals decided and the race for the title entering its most intense phase.
Former India captain Rishank Devadiga believes that the final four will reflect the dominance displayed so far. "There have been some exceptional performances in the National Championships this time around. We have seen a few surprises along the way, and as expected, the knockout stages have been unpredictable based on the matches so far," Rishank said.
The results have backed this assessment, as the pre-quarterfinals and quarterfinals witnessed some excellent performances. Tamil Nadu advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating the formidable Haryana team in a tie-breaker, after both teams ended the match with a score of 35-35.
Subsequently, Uttar Pradesh caused a major upset by defeating defending champions Services 55-51 to advance to the semifinals. Arjun Deshwal, who also captains Tamil Thalaivas in the Pro Kabaddi League, starred for Uttar Pradesh with an impressive 19-point haul.
Against this backdrop of dominant wins and high-pressure finishes, Rishank emphasized that the semifinals will test not only the talent but also the temperament of the players. "The performance of the players in the pre-quarter final and quarter final is where we can truly assess what a player and team are capable of. There are many coaches and scouts who have come to watch the matches. They will know which players to keep an eye on. This is a great opportunity for the young players," he said.
The early rounds have already produced margins of 50 points, 59-point victories, 37-point thrashings, and nail-biting one-point wins. If this trend continues, the semifinals on February 27 promise to deliver the most explosive chapter yet in Vadodara.
