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India retain kabaddi crown on Ajay Thakur's heroics

PTI

AHMEDABAD --- India rode on Ajay Thakur's 12 points to produce a strong comeback in the second half and beat Iran 38-29 to become the kabaddi world champions in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

India struck the early blows as Sandeep Narwal and Thakur scored raid points to lead 2-0 in the third minute. Meraj Sheykh scored Iran's first point as they levelled the game at 2-2. Iran's defence did well to contain Pardeep Narwal and then sent Thakur to the bench to lead 5-4.

Indian captain Anup Kumar levelled the match at 6-6 in the 10th minute. Sheykh scored with an excellent raid and reduced India to three men as Iran led 9-7 soon after. India's defence had a below-par first 15 minutes, scoring just one tackle point. Iran reduced India to just two men but a super tackle by Mohit Chhillar in the 16th minute cut the lead to one point again.

Nitin Tomar came up with a brilliant raid and scored two points in the 18th minute as India trailed 11-12. India were again reduced to just one man and Iran inflicted the first all-out of the match in the next minute to lead 16-12.

Iran led 18-13 at the end of the first half. Both Manjeet Chhillar and Pardeep failed to score and their subdued performances hurt India's chances.

Iran made India commit errors too -- Sheykh forced Manjeet off the court during a raid to take the lead to 19-13. Thakur scored two points in the 25th minute as India cut the lead and sent Fazel Atrachali and Sheykh to the bench. Iran sent Pardeep to the bench yet again as they led 20-17 in the 28th minute.

The tide turned for India when Thakur scored his ninth point in the 29th minute to level the game at 20-20. India inflicted their first all-out soon after to lead 24-21.

The all-out was perhaps the fillip India needed as Thakur completed his super 10 and sent Sheykh to the bench. India led 26-21 with nine minutes to go.

Tomar produced another good raid in the 34th minute -- and India led 29-22 and reduced Iran to just two men. Then Atrachali forced a super tackle but Iran still trailed 24-29.

Thakur all but sealed the match in India's favour in the 37th minute as he scored two points and India inflicted another all-out to take a 34-24 lead.

The hosts eventually won 37-30 to become the world champions for the third time.