With Iran sending a second-string side, India on Friday picked out Korea as one of the strong challengers in the six-nation Kabaddi Masters Dubai, which gets underway in a Dubai on Friday.
The 2016 World Cup finalists Iran will not get the services of their two star defenders, Fazel Atrachali (U Mumba) and Abozar Mighani (Telugu Titans), who were sold for Rs 1 crore and Rs 76 lakh respectively in the Pro Kabaddi League auctions this year.
2017 Asian Championships runners-up Pakistan, on the other hand, are mired in visa hurdles and they will arrive tomorrow morning, about 12 hours before their clash against India in the tournament.
India’s experienced defender Manjeet Chillar said Korea would pose a tough challenge. “They have a strong set of players and are coming here with a full-strength side. Iran have not sent their full strength side. It will be a tough battle against Korea,” Chillar told reporters in Dubai.
Asked how big a threat is Pakistan, he said: “I don’t remember when they defeated us. At least not during my playing days.”
The six-nation tournament feature India, Iran, Pakistan and Korea along with newcomers Kenya and Argentina and this tournament will give the four continental teams a perfect dress rehearsal for the Asian Games in August in Indonesia. Coach Srinivas Reddy indirectly criticised Iran’s decision of not sending their full strength side.
“If you don’t sit in the exams how would you know your strengths and weaknesses. They (Iran) want to hide their strengths before the Asian Games but we have come here with full strength,” Reddy, who will coach the senior team for the first time said.
“We want to assess our strengths and weaknesses so that we know what should be our strategy for the Asian Games,” he said.
Reddy, however, said they are not taking any team for granted. “Any team can match anyone on a given day. All the teams will pose tough challenges.”
Ajay Thakur will lead Indian challenge after the exclusion of former Indian captain Anup Kumar, one of the biggest names in Kabaddi.
Talking about the decision, Reddy said, “In cricket, Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement from the team did not bring the sport in India to a standstill. You had someone like Virat Kohli taking over the responsibility. The sport is always more important than the players. It’s like the flow of water,” the coach signed off.
Pakistan’s visa woes
Pakistan team’s arrival was delayed due to visa issues and they would now arrive in the wee hours of Saturday ahead of its tournament opener against India.
India begin their campaign against Pakistan at the Al Wasl Sports Club, leaving Pakistan with little time for preparation. “There’s a visa issue and we are told that they’re either arriving late tonight or early morning tomorrow,” a tournament official was quoted as saying by PTI. “All the other five participating nations are here,” the official added.
India meanwhile warmed up for the event with a 20-minute exhibition match against their Asian rivals Korea.