Kabaddi World Cup | India beat Argentina by biggest margin in the tournament

Kabaddi World Cup | India beat Argentina by biggest margin in the tournament

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© Kabaddi World Cup

India turned on the style in the penultimate group game of the World Cup beating Argentina by a score of 73-20 by enforcing an unbelievable six all outs in the game. Ajay Thakur and Rahul Chaudhari both completed Super 10s in the rout, which was also the biggest margin of victory in the WC so far.

Following his impressive displays in the previous games, Ajay Thakur was finally handed a place in the starting lineup but it was Surjeet's tackle on Nestor Mariano Pascual that got India on the scoreboard.

After a couple of quick bonus points by Anup Kumar and Ajay Thakur, Sandeep Narwal dashed into the Argentina box and tagged Nahuel Villamayor, who had won a bonus to get Argentina off the mark with the score at 5-1.

India had a chance to enforce the first all out in the fourth minute but a wonderful double thigh hold by Sebastian Canencia sent Sandeep Narwal packing earning the Argentinians a super tackle and taking their score to 7-3.

The first all out of the match went India's way when Jorge Daniel Barraza was tackled by Manjeet Chhillar before Ajay Thakur had touched Luis Sebastian Canencia out of the game. In the first five minutes, there had been just one empty raid as both teams were exhibiting attacking kabaddi.

Ajay Thakur shines again

Sebastian's tackle on Pardeep Narwal meant that he continued his good start to the game. But it was Ajay Thakur who proved once again why he is considered to be one of the best in the world. Starting with a super raid, he then contributed two tackles to complete a second all out on the Argentinians. With just eight minutes gone India were 22-5 up thanks to the Puneri Paltan raider.

Pardeep Narwal, who had struggled in the game thus far, joined the action with two quick points in as many raids. With the score set at 28-10, India finally took their foot off the gas forcing Argentina to attack the game and commit mistakes. It strategy paid immediate dividends as a third all out was enforced on the South American team.

As the umpire whistled for half time, India found themselves 36-13 ahead with 20 minutes to play with Ajay Thakur leading the charge with 12 points.

Second half

India started the second half with Ajay Thakur scoring a bonus point in the first raid, while Manjeet Chhillar's body block on Nahuel Lopez took the score just two short of 40.

India completed a fourth all out and it was Ajay Thakur again earning a touch point on Sebastian after substitute Nitin Tomar had earned his first points with a running hand touch as the scoreboard read India 45-13 Argentina.

Nahuel Lopez scored two points of a raid and would have been happy to hear the crowd roar with excitement not realizing it was the introduction of Rahul Chaudhari that had created the buzz. Mohit Chhillar's and Surender Nada's teamwork ensured Facundo Jios was back on the bench in a jiffy.

The next raid was arguably the one that could have explained the entire game in 30 seconds. Rahul Chaudhari threw Federico Ezequiel off the court before moving towards Gramajo Ochotta, who was forced to attempt a tackle. Chaudhari evaded the tackle as Argentina succumbed to their fifth all-out as the scoreboard read India 58-15 Argentina. India had gone on a 14-0 run. After a couple of Indian points, Argentina finally scored a point off a bonus.

The Rahul Chaudhari show continues

Rahul Chaudhari achieved a Super 10 despite being a second-half substitute following a couple of successful raids, as India enforced the sixth allout. India continued their aggressive raiding style, as they looked to achieve the record as well. However, Kiran Parmar touch on Matias Martin Martinez took the score to 74-20 as the game to an end.

India face England on Oct 18th in the final group game of the tournament, and if they can carry this form into the knockouts, the World Cup is India's to lose.

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