Haryana clinched the 72nd Women's Senior National Kabaddi Championship title, beating defending champions Indian Railways 39-37 in Hyderabad. The final took place at the Balayogi Stadium on Friday (January
30). Haryana came from behind and handled the closing pressure well.
The match stayed close across both halves, with frequent lead changes. Indian Railways matched Haryana raid for raid through most phases. Haryana edged ahead in the final minutes, holding off a late Railways push. The result was decided by very fine margins.
Nikita stars for Haryana in scoring role
Nikita led Haryana with 17 points from touch and bonus efforts. She attacked steadily, choosing raids with care during tense periods. Ruchi backed her with nine points in support raids. Raj Rani added key contributions, helping Haryana keep control in vital phases.
For Indian Railways, Pooja top scored with 11 points in raids. Another strong performance came from Pooja and Sonali Shingate, who added six points each. Railways defended with discipline and intensity throughout. Their late surge could not overturn Haryana's slim advantage.
Haryana's route through the knockout stages
Haryana displayed consistency through the knockout rounds in Hyderabad. They defeated Madhya Pradesh comfortably in the quarterfinal stage. A tight semifinal against pre-tournament favourites Himachal Pradesh tested their resolve. Haryana again held firm under pressure to reach the championship match.
Indian Railways underlined their status as a leading side. They beat Maharashtra with ease in the quarterfinals. A strong semifinal win over Tamil Nadu showed their depth and balance. Their overall campaign remained strong, despite the narrow defeat in the title clash.
Bronze medals for Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
The two losing semifinalists received bronze medals at the championship. Himachal Pradesh were rewarded after pushing Haryana in their semifinal. Tamil Nadu earned their place with a solid run to the last four. Both teams gained recognition for consistent efforts in the tournament.
