India drub Iran 71-23 to set up Kabaddi final date with Pakistan

Reigning champions India brushed aside Iran 71-23 to canter into the final of the 3rd World Cup Kabaddi (circle style) Championship at Bathinda here on Wednesday.

The men in blue shorts pressed the attack button from the word go, and never allowed Iran to settle into any kind of rhythm.

The Indians were confidence personified whenever they raided the Iranian territory.

The nifty dodges and the tight holds of the Indians had a big say in determining the final outcome.

India will now play arch-rivals Pakistan in the final – which will be a repeat of the 2010 World Cup Kabaddi final where India outplayed the men in green to lay their hands on the winning trophy.

Pakistan would be on a high after getting the better of Canada 53-27 in the semifinal.

With this win, the men in green exacted sweet revenge over Canada, who had slammed the exit door on them in the semifinals of the 2011 edition.

There was more joy for the Indian camp as the women’s kabaddi team thrashed last year’s runners-up England 56-7 to storm into the final.

The Indian kabaddi eves hit the straps from the outset and piled on the pressure on England with their incisive raids.

The women in blue stood out for their razor-sharp dodges and smart holds.

The Indian women will now play Malaysia in the final.

Malaysia put it across Denmark 41-25 in the other semifinal.