Maharashtra won the National Inter-State Kabaddi Championship on Friday night, beating Rajasthan 38-36 in a final that was decided by a two-point raid from captain Omkar Salunkhe with eight seconds left on the clock.
The lead changed hands eleven times in front of a full house of about 6,000 at the Kesarganj indoor stadium. Rajasthan led 20-17 at half-time behind the raiding of 19-year-old Arjun Bishnoi, who finished with 14 points.
"I told the boys at half-time: one tackle at a time, one raid at a time," Salunkhe said. "On the last raid I only thought about touching two and getting home."
How the final turned
- Rajasthan's corner defenders kept Maharashtra's main raiders quiet in the first half.
- Maharashtra's left corner, Sachin Gaikwad, made three super tackles after the break.
- A Rajasthan all-out with six minutes left put them ahead 33-31.
- Salunkhe's final raid touched two defenders at the baulk line and crossed back safely.
Rajasthan coach Hanuman Singh said his young team had "grown up in one night". Bishnoi was named the tournament's best raider, with 92 points in seven matches.
In the women's final earlier in the evening, Haryana beat Bihar 41-29. Both champions will receive prize money and a place in next year's national camp trials. See the best moments in our photo gallery from the final.
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