In pictures: the last-raid finish that decided the inter-state kabaddi final

Super tackles, an all-out, a timeout argument and a winning raid with eight seconds left: the Maharashtra-Rajasthan final in eight frames.

By Rohit Bhandari

KESARGANJ · Published 13 November 2026 at 6:00 pm IST · 1 min read

A full house of about 6,000 fans at the Kesarganj indoor stadium before the final. Photo: Rashed Hossain via wordpress.org (CC0-1.0)
Rajasthan's young raider Arjun Bishnoi escapes a chain tackle in the first half. Photo: Nilo Velez via wordpress.org (CC0-1.0)
Maharashtra's left corner Sachin Gaikwad completes one of his three super tackles. Photo: Nilo Velez via wordpress.org (CC0-1.0)
Coaches from both sides argue a point with the referee during a timeout. Photo: Heru Irawan via wordpress.org (CC0-1.0)
Rajasthan celebrate the all-out that gave them a 33-31 lead with six minutes left. Photo: Rashed Hossain via wordpress.org (CC0-1.0)
Captain Omkar Salunkhe crosses back over the midline after the winning raid. Photo: Nilo Velez via wordpress.org (CC0-1.0)
Maharashtra's players lift their captain on their shoulders at the final whistle. Photo: Nilo Velez via wordpress.org (CC0-1.0)
Confetti falls as both finalists line up for the medal ceremony. Photo: Heru Irawan via wordpress.org (CC0-1.0)

The National Inter-State Kabaddi Championship final was one of the closest in years. The lead changed hands eleven times before Maharashtra captain Omkar Salunkhe's two-point raid sealed a 38-36 win over Rajasthan.

Our photographer was courtside for every raid. Read the full match report, then scroll through eight frames from the night.