Top teams like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have advanced to the semifinals of the 72nd Senior Men’s National Kabaddi Championship 2026. The knockout rounds witnessed 16 teams competing across eight matches for a spot in the next round. Teams such as Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Services, Himachal Pradesh, Indian Railways, and Bihar also progressed to the quarterfinals.
In a dramatic start to the quarterfinals, Uttar Pradesh caused an upset by defeating defending champions Services 55–51, securing a semifinal berth. Arjun Deshwal, who captains Tamil Thalaivas in the Pro Kabaddi League, shone for Uttar Pradesh with an impressive 19-point performance. Maharashtra also emerged victorious in their quarterfinal against Himachal Pradesh, winning 53-38 with Ajit Chouhan and Aditya Shinde leading the raiding unit.
Tamil Nadu pulled off a major upset by advancing to the quarters after defeating strong contenders Haryana in a tie-breaker. Chandigarh dominated their match against Madhya Pradesh with a 45–26 victory, led by top Indian player Pawan Sehrawat. Maharashtra continued their winning streak with a convincing 69–21 triumph over Pondicherry.
Himachal Pradesh secured a hard-fought victory against Rajasthan with a close 56–53 win, powered by star raiders Pappu Kumar and Mayank Saini. Uttar Pradesh maintained their impressive form with a commanding 65–24 win over Jammu & Kashmir. Services showcased dominance by defeating Goa 51–22, with Devank Dalal excelling in raiding and Ankit leading the defense.
In another closely contested match, Bihar emerged victorious over hosts Gujarat with a 38–34 scoreline. Indian Railways sealed their spot in the next round with a solid 57–38 win over Karnataka, showcasing effective raiding and strong defense.
The upcoming quarterfinal matchups will feature Railways against Bihar, and Chandigarh against Tamil Nadu.
