Hangzhou: The Indian men’s kabaddi team, who are a record seven-time champions, began their campaign with an emphatic 55-18 win over Bangladesh in a group fixture at the Asian Games here on Tuesday.
In their bid to regain the Asian Games gold medal, the Indians, who slipped to a bronze at the 2018 edition, took a 24-9 lead at the half-time.
Naveen Kumar Goyat and Arjun Deshwal spearheaded their raids in style to inflict the first all-out in the 12th minute.
Bangladesh managed to inflict two supertackles in the first half on Pawan Sehrawat and then on Goyat but that proved insufficient as India took 12-point lead inside 20 minutes.
Bangladesh faltered in their raids as the Indians extended their lead in the second-half and sealed the issue.
The women’s kabaddi team, who were the last edition’s silver medallist, endured a disappointing start after being held to an unexpected 34-34 draw by Chinese Taipei on Monday.
In the men’s event India find themselves clubbed with Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Japan in Group A.